New Chief, New Time

New Chief, New Time

By Marla Jones, Managing Editor • marla@southerntorch.com

RAINSVILLE, Ala. — At the Organizational Session of the Rainsville City Council, the new council and Mayor Rodger Lingerfelt were sworn in by Representative Nathaniel Ledbetter.  The council members are as follows: Brandon Freeman, Derek Rosson, Monk Blevins, Rickey Bryrum, and Bejan Taheri.

The Council elected Rickey Byrum as the Council President.

The following appointments were made:

  • City Clerk, Kelly Fraizer
  • City Accountant, Betty Holcomb
  • Municipal Attorney, Nicki Wilson-Scott
  • Municipal Judge, Glenn Shedd
  • Rainsville Fire Chief Willimac Wright
  • Rainsville Police Chief, Michael Edmondson

All council members, with the exception of Brandon Freeman, voted to approve Edmondson as the new Rainsville Chief of Police.  

“The reason I voted to oppose the vote had nothing to do with the candidate, it had to do with the process of the way it was done” stated Freeman.  “ As far as I know, the job was never posted, therefore we didn’t have applicants for the job.  In my eight years of being involved with city politics, I don’t know of us ever hiring someone without going through an interview process.” Freeman concluded. 

Edmondson brings a wealth of experience to the job, beginning his career at the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office in 2000 as a correctional officer before becoming a deputy in 2001. By 2009, Edmondson was appointed Chief Deputy by then-Sheriff Jimmy Harris. He left the position of Chief Deputy in January 2019.

During his tenure as Chief Deputy, Edmondson served as commander of the DeKalb County Drug and Major Crimes Task Force; oversaw patrol, investigation, D.A.R.E. programs, clerical work, incarceration, and day-to-day operations. Additionally, he supported the following programs: Citizens Academy, Yellow Dot, gun safety, Eddie Eagle, Project Life Safer, Community Watch, Run-Hide-Fight, and R.U.-O.K. Edmondson is also certified to write safety plans for businesses and churches.

Edmondson is a 2000 graduate of Gadsden State Community College. He is married to Jody Edmondson and the couple has four children. They currently reside in Grove Oak.

After going into the regular session of the meeting, the following ordinances and resolutions were approved:

  • Ordinance 11-02-2020 to Amend Organizational Ordinance establishing a new time for the Rainsville City Council.  The date and time will be the first and third Monday of each month, with a workshop beginning at 4 p.m. and the regular meeting at 4:30 p.m. a
  • Resolution 11-02-2020 A to authorize the following city official to execute financial documents: Mayor Rodger Lingerfelt, Mayor Pro-Tem  RIckeyBryum, City Clerk Kelly Frazier, and the Rainsville Court Magistrate, Tammy Mason. 
  • Resolution 11-02-2020 B to reappoint City Clerk Kelly Frazier
  • Resolution 11-02-2020 C to reappoint Rainsville First Chief Willimac Wright

The next council meeting of the Rainsville City Council for November 16, 2020.

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