By Adam Smith

The North Jefferson News



Residents in the community of Cane Creek are hoping everything is now back to normal.

After nearly a month of hard feelings between members of the Cane Creek Fire Department and the Cane Creek Community Club, club members said this week they feel the worst is behind them.

“I think our problems are pretty much solved,” said Tom Campbell, president of the Cane Creek Community Club. “There’s nothing that couldn’t have been handled by ourselves.”

On May 10, the community club held an emergency meeting and election to address what club members referred to as a “hostile takeover attempt by some members of the former board.”

Community Club member Norma Perrymon said at least 40 members of the community were at the meeting to vote old members of the Cane Creek Fire Board out and vote new members in.

Perrymon was elected to be secretary of the fire board and Campbell was elected as vice president.

Other members elected included E. James Pettus as president and Michelle Bishop as treasurer. Joe Perrymon, Tina Clements and Gloria Pettus were elected as directors of the fire board.

A release from the community club also said that fire chief Rocky Bell had resigned his post and that Paul Blackmon is now acting fire chief.

However, at least one former member of the fire board, Charles Woods, claims it was an illegal election.

Woods said he has sought help from Jefferson County Commission President Bettye Fine Collins on the matter. He said it was his understanding that the election had to be certified by the county to be official.

Collins said she had only been informed of the issue this week and would talk with a county attorney about the matter.

Woods, who also served as a fireman, said he doesn’t agree with the specially called election and wants what’s best for the community and the fire department.

“They’re [the fire department] looking for some new members,” he said. “All I’m trying to do is see that a fire truck load of men have the opportunity to work when that buzzer goes off.”

Perrymon and Campbell said the election did not have to be certified by the county because the community club is self-governed, unlike a municipality.

The fire board is currently seeking members of the community who want to volunteer with the fire board or the fire department.

Campbell urged members of the community to get involved because the fire department is for their benefit.

Perrymon said what the board is looking for is simple. “They don’t have to be experienced, because we can get them trained,” she said. “They just have to be willing and able and we want honest ones.”

Those interested in volunteering with the Cane Creek Fire Department should call the office at 647-2716 and leave a message.