COUNCILMAN JOHN McCLENDON STATES HE KNOWS WHAT THE PEOPLE WANT
THAT HE HAS HEARD FROM THE PEOPLE
CALL BOTH McCLENDON AND NICHOLS AND MAKE SURE THEY KNOW WHAT YOU WANT
GRACEVILLE FL: Graceville City Councilman Curtis Pinkard realizes who he serves as Councilman. The people of Graceville.
It appears Graceville Mayor Walter Olds, Councilman Terry Nichols, Marshall Davis, and John McClendon have not really accepted they serve the people of Graceville.
Councilman Pinckard attempted to raise the Graceville Police Force from 5 officers to 6 officers tonight. Following his motion Mayor Walter Olds, and Councilman Dr. Terry Nichols, Marshall Davis, and Councilman John McClendon were silent and no one second his motion. So it died.
Councilman Dr. Terry Nichols, a local dentist in Graceville, was asked could he run his dental practice by himself and he said yes. He was also asked how many patients he see’s in a day and he said he did not know. But Councilman Dr. Terry Nichols said he was satisfied the police department could function with only 5 police officers.
Councilman John McClendon stated that only about 2% if the Graceville residents were speaking up about the police department. McClendon said “you know we listen to everybody”. McClendon went on to say “you know what calls you get and all of that, but I know what I need and I know what people have told me”. McClendon said “we need to get back together and stop all of this arguing and fussing and stuff…because I think we made the right decision”.
Councilman Dr. Terry Nichols and Councilman John McClendon feel like they have heard from the people of Graceville and that 5 police officers is enough. They had 7 police officers but the Mayor and three councilman cut the police department to 5. The City Manager was given a raise to $ 97,000.00 a year, but police department cut.
The people in attendance are mad and think the department needs at least 6 officers. One thing in econmic recruitment is a safe and secure city and good schools. And some fear not having local law enforcement protection.
Jackson County Sheriff Donnie Edenfield, I like him and nothing said is critical of him or Jackson County Sheriff Deparment. But Jackson County Florida has 955 square miles according to google. It is 5 miles from Highway 231 where retired Jackson County Sheriff Lou Roberts said there were more problems with the north/south corridor then that east/west corridor.
While Jackson County Sheriff Department has about 75 sworn officers in the entire department, that averaged about 5 on duty on patrol. It is 48 minute response from Sneads to Graceville and 28 minute response from Marianna to Graceville. Several Jackson County Deputies have hit deer while responding to calls.
In six years there has been at least 6 officer involved shootings in Jackson County. With that said, it is dangerous for one officer with backup possibly being 30 minutes or more away. And the citizens who have called and text RSN, and spoke at the meeting, are concerned about not having local law enforcement in Graceville. Yes, it can be done with 5 officers, but you have off days, court days, sick and other issues which causes shortages. And when a officer yells for help, it will not be Mayor Walter Olds, Councilman Dr. Terry Nichols, Marshall Davis, or John McClendon coming and placing their lives on the line with the officers.
It is not a myth, it is reality that law enforcement is dangerous. And society has gotten worse. And a situation can go from calm to full combat in seconds. And the citizens do not feel the Mayor and Council, except Councilman Curtis Pinkard, care and are looking after their safety.
At the top of the article is Councilman Dr. Terry Nichols and Councilman John McClendon’s phone numbers. They said they have heard from the citizens and what they want. Please call and express your opinion. They are each public servants, not royalty and there to serve you, the citizens of Graceville Florida.
DOTHAN: 7:07 PM. Dothan Police is in pursuit of a Dodge Charger. The chase is on South Park passing Coleman.
7:08 PM. Approaching Malvern – Rehobeth Road. Subject is on Highway 605. Subject has wrecked.
Dothan Police and Houston County Sheriff Department are on the scene.
7:09 PM. Suspect apprehended.
UPDATED @ 8:44 PM
Unknown exact information that started the encounter with this vehicle. UNCONFIRMED, but this chase is believed to have began in the 3000 block of South Oates Street. Then the chase hit Taylor Road traveling towards South Park. Suspect made it around the round-about at Taylor Road and South Park, traveling towards Taylor.
Taylor Police, ALEA – Troopers and Houston County Sheriff Deputies responded.
The chase came to Taylor Road and Highway 605 and turned south. The suspect traveled south on Highway 605. Shortly after reaching Rehobeth Baptist Church on Highway 605 he crashed into a tree. Impact set the airbags off.
Rehobeth Fire – Rescue responded to the scene. The transport was made by the Dothan Police Department but to jail.
DOTHAN: The Dothan Board of Zoning Adjustment will hold a special public hearing on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at 9:00 AM. The meeting will be held on the 2nd floor of Dothan Civic Center in the Dothan Commission Chambers.
Item Number SE-2025-0023 – Request for a Special Exception to allow a short term commercial rental located at 610 Collingswood Drive – Residential Single Family, Low Density ( R-1 ) – Marnix E. Heersink represented by Ashley Solomon and Brad Cain.
This is not a rezoning request according to paperwork submitted to adjacent landowners. The Board of Zoning Adjustment, may in appropriate cases and subject to appropriate conditions, make exceptions and grant variances to the provisions of the zoning ordinance that are in harmony with its general purposes and interests or the ordinance.
According to TEXT RICKEY 334-790-1729 there is a dental school opening in Dr. Heersink’s office building. UNCONFIRMED with Dr. Heersink’s office this special exception will be for students to live while attending the dental school.
Collingswood is off Fortner Street inside Ross Clark Circle, the first street to the south. Across from Stonebridge in Dothan.
EUFAULA: 05:00 AM This past week I met with Eufaula Mayor Jack Tibbs in his office at Eufaula City Hall. This meeting was concerning allegations of domestic violence which was alleged to have occured in February 2024.
The Board of Directors of Barbour County 911 sent a letter to Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall requesting the case be investigated on allegations CAD ( Computer Aided Dispatch ) information and audio recordings of radio traffic were erased from the data bases.
Mayor Jack Tibbs, who has served multiple terms as Mayor in in an election run off. This issue was one someone raised during the election. The Mayor was leading candidate in primary race and is in a run off election upcoming September 23.
RSN and Mayor Tibbs had a lengthy conversation. After the allegations Mayor Tibbs also sent a letter requesting an investigation to Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall.
To Date the Alabama Attorney General’s Office has done no investigation.
RSN STEPS
Following the meeting RSN looked into the matter. The City of Eufaula uses Southern Software as their CAD ( Computer Aided Dispatch ). The same system is used by the City of Dothan – Houston County Commuications District ( 911 Center ) and Ozark – Dale County 911 Center. They also use Eventide as their recording equipment of all radio traffic. Eufaula Police Department is the primary answering point of 911 calls for Barbour County.
RSN Rickey Stokes was a member of the City of Dothan – Houston County Communications District Board when Southern Software was purchased and implemented. Rickey Stokes is past Chairman of the Board for the City of Dothan – Houston County Communications DIstrict. So Rickey Stokes is fimiliiar with Southern Software. In fact he has the cell phone number of the President of Southern Software still to this day from his service on the 911 board.
RSN checked with Houston County 911 and Ozark – Dale County 911 when researching this information. The data can not be erased from CAD or Eventide. There is an audit trail of the information. The information is time and date stamped. These centers, managed by people who is almost at retirement time of service, do not know how to erase anything from CAD or Eventide.
Suzann Tibbs, wife of Eufaula Mayor Jack Tibbs
RSN then called Mrs. Suzann Tibbs and requested to meet with her. My request was to meet with just Mrs. Tibbs. We met at thier residence. I interviewed Mrs. Suzann Tibbs, on camera and asked her point blank did any domestic abuse incident occur between her and Mayor Jack Tibbs, Very quickly she said no. I asked had any incident occured before or after February 2024 and she said no. She was very direct and honest.
Mrs. Suzann Tibbs is a retired educator – principal in the City of Eufaula public schools. Following her retirement she taught 3rd grade for a private school for a short period of time. She is retired no looking after her mother who is 101 years old. She was very supportive of her husband, Mayor Jack Tibbs, saying they have been married for 24 years.
FOR THE INFORMATION TO HAVE BEEN ERASED
For this event to have been erased, the dispatcher who took the call would have had to particpate. There are normally three dispatchers on duty. The dispatcher supervsior would have had to had super administrative powers that even Dothan-Houston County Communications District and Ozark – Dale County managers of the 911 system do not have. And these two centers have had Southern Software for more than 20 years.
So RSN knows of no way for the information to have been erased from the system.
CONCLUSION
Based on the RSN investigation, and knowledge of RSN Rickey Stokes of having served on the City of Dothan Communications District Board and past Chairman, on the board when Southern Software was purchased, research into two systems who use Southern Software and a third who is a member or the Alabama State 911 Board of Directors, that no investigation was conducted by the Alabama Attorney General Office, lengthy meeting and discussion with Mayor Jack Tibbs and with Mrs. Suzann Tibbs outside of the prescence of Mayor Jack Tibbs, and that no special Grand Jury has met as rumored, this is an UNFOUNDED COMPLAINT.
Until last week I had never met Mayor Jack Tibbs or Mrs. Suzann Tibbs. And my reaction of Mrs. Suzann Tibbs, she would not tolerate any abuse at all and would be firm if it in fact occured. Therefore based on my conversation and impression from her, it is an UNFOUNDED complaint. She is one of Jack Tibbs biggest supporters and is a very respected retired educator.
The Mayor was very straigt forrward in our three hour meeting. He never hedged or dodged any question asked and there were no boundries set in our meeting. But I did not just take his word but investiagted elsewhere following our meeting.
Therefore it is UNFOUNDED.
NOTE: This is not a paid article. It is an investigative article because RSN did article in April 2024 when the 911 board submitted the letter to the Alabama Attorney General. Since nothing has happened and it has been a re-election issue we followed up on the information.
DOTHAN: 04:42 AM Dothan 911 dispatched Dothan Fire Engine 10 ( West Main Street ), Pilcher Ambulance, Dothan Police to a critical injury wreck, North Park Avenue and Montgomery Highway.
The accident involved two vehicles, a motorcycle and vehicle. Emergency units are on the scene.
Dothan Fire Battalion Chief Tollett is also on the scene.
UPDATED @ 5:40 AM
The accident was downgraded from Critical Injuries to moderate injuries. Patient was transported by Pilcher Ambulance to Southeast Health.
Anyone with scene pictures TEXT RICKEY 334-790-1729.
HOUSTON COUNTY: This morning a check presentation and joint partnership was announced at the Houston County Commission Meeting for the Houston County Industrial Park. The Industrial Park is located on State Line Road off Highway 231 South at the Alabama – Florida line.
In addition to the Houston County Commissioners, attending today’s check presentation, Alabama State Senator Donnie Chesteen, Alabama State Representatives Paul Lee and Rick Rheem, Dothan Mayor Mark Saliba, Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce Matt Parker and Colton Cureton, Hayne Hollis, members of the Houston County Water Authority, and Brad Kimbro of Wiregrass Electric Cooperative, and Davis Malone of Midsouth Bank.
The check made to Industrial Development Boardof the City of Dothan in the amount of $ 3,257,500.00.
The Growing Alabama sponsors: Midsouth Bank, Regions Bank, Synovus Bank, Friend Bank, Troy Bank and Trust, Great Southern Wood Preservation, Wiregrass Electric Cooperative and South Alabama Electric Cooperative.
The funding will be finishing infrastructure in the Industrial Park getting it ready for future growth.
The Local Legislative Delegations consists of Alabama State Senator Donnie Chesteen, Senator Billy Beasley, Alabama State Representaive Paul Lee, Rick Rheem, Jeff Sorrells, and Steve Clouse.
