By Marla Jones, Managing Editor • marla@southerntorch.com
FORT PAYNE, Ala. — On Monday, the Fort Payne City Council held interviews for the open position on the City of Fort Payne Education Board.
Eight candidates applied to fill the position of Kathy Prater, whose term expires June 2021, including Jamie Larson, Gina Kelly Grant, Ronnie Campbell, Steve Henery, Dana Grimes, Randy McClung, Slade Carden, and Randy Bynum.
On Tuesday, during the Fort Payne City Council meeting, Randy Bynum was appointed to the position.
In his interview, Bynum said he felt that the Fort Payne School System was the “best of the best.” He went on to say, “the students had so many paths that they can choose and that he would like to part of that.”
Bynum served as a student resource officer for seven years for Fort Payne. Bynum said he felt that the biggest change that needed to be made within the system, was from a safety standpoint. The schools are to open and that traffic should be shut down, not to allow cars so close during school hours.
At Tuesday’s meeting, the Fort Payne Council received a plaque and a letter of appreciation from the Fort Payne Tennis Team for the addition of new courts.
These courts aided the team to have a stellar season. This year the boy’s team won their first section tournament in school history.
The Fort Payne Council held a public hearing to receive comments on the agreement between the City and Ram Development Partners, LLC. Ram Developments Partners represent a business that plans on locating in Fort Payne. The agreement, which was approved by the Council, will split the revenue with the new business, giving them an incentive to chose Fort Payne for their new location.
In other business, the council:
- Passed Resolution 2021-18 setting the speed limit from 45th Street to 55th Street on Gault Avenue N to 35 mph and 25 mph during school hours
- Approved the alcohol license for the Dollar General at 2701 Greenhill Blvd
- Authorized a budget adjustment for the Sanitation Department in the amount of $52,000 for the purchase of eight (8) 20-yard dumpsters
- Authorized a budget adjustment for the Wastewater Treatment Plant in the amount of $11,000 for equipment rental
- Authorized a budget adjustment for the Public Works Department in the amount of $6,900 for a silk fence plow
- Authorized a budget adjustment for the Fort Payne Fire Department in the amount of $1300 for furniture
The Fort Payne Council has issued $78,000 in budget adjustments so far for the 2021 budget.
Several committees gave their reports to the Council.
Fort Payne Fire Chief Ron Saferite reported to the Council that in 2019, the fire department responded to 1920 calls. Due to covid regulations, the department responded to 1210 calls in 2020. This year, the department has responded to 400. Saferite stated that “the department would be back on track with 2019 numbers by the end of the year.”
The Recreation Department stated that they are 15-to-18 lifeguards short for the City Pool. The department also needs concession stand workers at the sports complex.
Mayor Brian Baine discussed the need for basketball courts within the City. Gametime has agreed to donate four backboards and goals with the city to purchase the pools. The City will be in discussion to find the best surface for the court.
“This is low-hanging fruit for the kids. We need to provide this for the youth like the City provided for me growing up” state Council President Walter Watson.
The Fort Payne City Fourth of July Celebration will be held on Thursday, July 1. The Boys in the Band will be the special musical entertainment.
The next meeting of the Fort Payne Council will be held on May 4 at 12:30 p.m.
