Greene County Democrat

Tag: FEMA

  • Eutaw City Council approves travel and per diem for city staff to attend training they previously opposed

    At their regular meeting on August 8, 2023, the Eutaw City Council approved travel and per diem requests for city staff to attend trainings that they had previously refused to approve in the two prior meetings. The reason the Council members gave was that funds in the General Fund account were low and they were not sure they could afford to send staff to training.
    Mayor Johnson said, “Some of the staff training is mandatory and necessary for staff to keep up to date for city business.” She went on to say, “We have a shortfall in our General Fund because we are expecting a reimbursement from FEMA for clean-up and debris removal from the storms earlier this year. We have not received the FEMA reimbursement because it takes time for FEMA to review and check the invoices; but FEMA has assured us the money is coming.”
    Among the trainings approved were:
    • City Clerk and Assistant City Clerk to attend Municipal Clerks training, September 6-8, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, AL
    • City Clerk and Assistant City Clerk to attend Revenue Officers Training, October 4-6, 2023
    • City Judge Joshua Swords and City Attorney, Zane Willingham to attend ALM Law Conference in Gulf Shores, Alabama, November 2-4, 2023

    The Eutaw City Council formally accepted a grant of $38,755 from the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation for support of the City of Eutaw Volunteer Fire Department to be used for equipment and training.The Council also approved the following items:

    • A Request Form to be on the City Council Agenda.
    • An Ordinance No. 08082023 – adjustment in business license issuance fee from $12 to $14, starting January 1, 2024.
    • Changes in the City Handbook.
    • Received letter from the Alabama League of Municipalities concerning collection of revenue in the Police Jurisdiction of the city.
    • Purchase of a Pump from Stone and Sons for $9,600.
    • Payment of bills for the month.
    The Eutaw City Council tabled a decision approving the sale of land on Boligee Street (past location of swimming pool) to the Greene County Commission for a Water Park. The mayor said there were some details of the transaction that still had to be worked out.
    Leah Banks with Alabama Power Company made a presentation on a study of broadband service in Greene County that she is conducting in conjunction with the University of West Alabama. There is a QR code to capture which leads you to the survey. For more information on the survey, contact GCIDA at 205-372-9769.

  • Impact of Hurricane Harvey Greene County asked to help storm victims

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    Hurricane Harvey that hit the Texas Gulf Coast starting on Friday night, August 25, 2017 and continuing for six days of record rainfall dumped 27 trillion gallons of rain on Texas and Louisiana. The death toll from the storm stands at 41 but may rise as more homes are checked for damages and fatalities.

    Greene County and surrounding communities are asked to donate various items to be delivered to families in the affected areas in Texas. Second Baptist Church in Eutaw (located at 217 Tuscaloosa Ave.) will be accepting donations to assist the storm victims.

    The church will be open to accept donations Tuesday through Saturday from 8:00 am to 12 noon and 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm daily. Second Baptist will deliver all donations to the location of the truck in Greene County, which will depart on September 11. Suggested items to donate include the following: baby wipes, bottled water, cleaning supplies, coloring books, crayons, diapers, hand sanitizer, paper towels, soap, toothbrushes, tooth paste, toys etc.

    Reportedly, 72,000 people were rescued from floods, more than 50,000 were in shelters, and 30,000 people will require temporary shelter as their homes have been totally destroyed. An estimated 450,000 people across the region will request help from FEMA due to damages from the storm.
    Harvey may end up being the costliest natural disaster in the history of the United States, considering the size and population of the area affected. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee estimates the cost of recovery in Texas and Louisiana at $150 billion in homes, business and other property.
    The City of Houston has been one of the hardest-hit cities across the region with widespread and unprecedented flooding. Some areas picked up more rain in one hour than they typically receive during the entire month of August.
    Beaumont, Orange, Port Arthur and other smaller cities in Texas near the Louisiana state line were also hard hit and flooded. Rivers across the region will continue to rise for days as water gradually drains down stream. Some rivers are projected to crest more than 10 feet above previous record levels.