Cullman honors retiring firefighters, Firefighter and EMT of the Year

Published 9:12 pm Monday, June 26, 2017

Cullman Fire Rescue honored two retiring firefighters for their respective careers spanning 18 years while recognizing two others for their exemplary service Monday. 

Chief Edward Reinhardt and City Councilman Andy Page presented plaques to Tim Richards and Greg Smith for their service to the department during the city council meeting. Richards, an engineer, joined the department as a military veteran with SWAT experience while Smith worked his way up to EMS Division Chief, a division he was instrumental in starting. Reinhardt said both will be missed and have been key members of the department.

Also honored Monday was the EMT of the Year, Chase Cornell, and Firefighter of the Year, Lt. Jason Lamb. The two were nominated by their supervisors who hailed their dedication and hard work as first responders. Lamb was joined by his son, Nathan, who cheered for his father from the crowd, before Council President Garlan Gudger invited him to join his dad up front for a group photo.

In another impromptu heartwarming moment, the city council sang Mayor Woody Jacob’s daughter, Hannah, “Happy Birthday” who then thanked them with hugs before officials turned their attention back to the regular agenda.

In other business, the Cullman City Council:

* Approved June 5 meeting minutes.

* Held public hearing and approved Ordinance No. 2017 – 15 to vacate and surplus a city-owned sidewalk directly north of Rumor’s Deli that received a favorable report from the City of Cullman Planning Commission that this is consistent with previous requests.

* Held public hearing and approved Ordinance No. 2017 – 16 to rezone 1006 Second Avenue NW from M-1 Manufacturing District to B-2 Business District that received a favorable recommendation from the City of Cullman Planning Commission.

* Held public hearing and tabled Ordinance No. 2017 – 17 to rezone a vacant lot located at the corner of Denson Avenue SW and 3rd Street SW from CBD Central Business District to R-4 Residential District that received an unfavorable recommendation from the City of Cullman Planning Commission.

* Approved request from WWTP Superintendent Jeff Adams to purchase road base materials and asphalt paving for a pump station access road from Jones Brothers Paving in the budgeted amount not to exceed $14,880.00.

* Approved request from Ronald Stevenson of 2906 Leighsdale Ave. S.W. for a special event permit to stand and minister on the sidewalks of Cullman on Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. (actually only once or twice each week). The request was approved with conditions suggested by Council Pro Tem Jenny Folsom: that Stevenson notify Cullman Police Chief Kenny Culpepper of his location and the permit expire Aug. 31 to allow the city to determine whether to allow him to continue, pending complaints.

* Approved request from Carl Malin of Calvary Apostolic First UPC for a special event permit to hold Family Fun Days on July 29 from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. and on July 30 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. around the church located at 303 Clark St. NE.

* Approved request from Ron Lamon of Vinemont Baptist Church for a special event permit to hold a Community Walk from Mary Carter’s Store to Depot Park on August 12 from 10 a.m. until noon to support suicide prevention and awareness.

* Approved request from Cali Tidwell of Desperation Church for a special event permit to hold the annual Fireworks Festival in Heritage Park on July 4 from 5-10 p.m.

* Held first reading of Ordinance No. 2017 – 18 to annex the property located at 451 County Road 1467 owned by Pam and Jerry Cason into the city limits of Cullman, Alabama as R-1 Residential District that received a favorable recommendation from the City of Cullman Planning Commission.

* Held first reading of Ordinance No. 2017 – 19 to annex the property located at 48 County Road 497 owned by Virgena Thornton into the city limits of Cullman, Alabama as R-1 Residential District that received a favorable recommendation from the City of Cullman Planning Commission.

* Awarded bid for tree services at 16th Street Southeast to the lowest responsible bidder, Reeve’s and Son LLC, in the budgeted amount not to exceed $1,850.

* Approved entering into a professional services contract with Ballew Building Company, Inc. for project management services in the budgeted amount not to exceed $25,000. 

Tiffeny Owens can be reached at 256-734-2131, ext. 135.