By Gary Lloyd
The Trussville City Council on Tuesday approved a proclamation honoring Ned Paine, the founder of Amerex Corporation and a charter member of the Trussville City Board of Education.
Paine was recognized for his “many years of tireless service to this community,” according to the proclamation.
City Councilman Alan Taylor said Paine is “gravely ill” and was deserving of the honor.
“He’s been nothing but a blessing to the city,” said Trussville City Council President Brian Plant.
Plant said Paine was “instrumental” in the city forming its own school system.
Paine established fire extinguisher manufacturer Amerex Corporation in Trussville in 1971, the city’s largest employer. Paine served on Trussville’s Industrial Development Board from 1993 to this year.
Paine served on the Jefferson County School Foundation, helping to provide additional funding for schools throughout the county. He helped fund the facilities and establish a program for a technical education lab at Trussville Junior High School. In 1999, he and his wife, Goldie, donated 31 acres of property along U.S
. Highway 11 for what is now the campuses of Paine Primary and Paine Intermediate schools. Paine was chairman of the committee that determined it was feasible to start a Trussville school system and served as a charter member of the board of education in Trussville from 2004 to 2005.
“Ned Paine has long been a champion of education in our community,” the proclamation states.
The proclamation also states Paine’s support of the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Arts Council of the Trussville Area.
“Ned does not brag or boast about what he has done — he does not have to — his demeanor, his determination and his broad knowledge and interests set him apart as a great leader, and this becomes apparent in his success as a businessman and as a community leader,” the proclamation states.
Contact Gary Lloyd at news@trussvilletribune.com and follow him on Twitter @GaryALloyd.