By Faith Callens
CENTER POINT — On Thursday, June 3, the Center Point City Council met for a regular meeting at City Hall and announced several new businesses coming to the city.
The following items were approved unanimously as part of the Consent Agenda:
- Resolution authorizing travel advances for council members’ employee training.
- Approval of John’s Plumbing of $14, 830 to repair prior plumbing issues within the Code Enforcement Building.
FIRE CHIEF
During public comment, Fire Chief Gene Coleman spoke about the “rules of service” that were implemented from a 2004 Waffle House seminar that is now a rule of thumb in their fire department.
“The first thing that we work under is to be nice,” said Coleman. “The second thing is to know your job. The third thing is to do your job. The fourth is to help those that don’t know their job and the fifth is to encourage those that don’t do their job. Number six is to make it better than it was, and Number seven is to focus on results, not reasons.”
Coleman said these are simple rules the previous fire chief followed during his leadership and he plans to continue to use those rules within the firehouse as a guideline of good customer service.
Coleman also spoke about a recent fire that occurred during the week where no one was injured. Sixteen cars were damaged, and many other cars were destroyed. The fire was reported as an apartment fire which misled the responders, but the fire was extinguished.
The fire chief also said it was a big week for the fire department because they were able to bring 60 fire executives to the Center Point Community Center where they have their monthly meeting.
“We have been fortunate enough to use that facility in the past and it’s a great opportunity for our fire chiefs and local officers to learn more about what’s going on,” said Coleman.
Later in the week, the fire department will have two new recruits from Fort Payne, one recruit is a female and the other is a male who is also an attorney balancing two careers at once.
The Center Point Fire District offers CPR classes every third Thursday and Coleman said he plans to recognize 2020 survivors or responders who made the call to help or make a difference in a life in September.
COUNCIL REPORTS
For reports, Council President D.M. Collins said there are some new businesses coming to Center Point. J Wings is planning to open up shop in the city. Oak Street Health is expected to open mid-summer and construction is underway in Center Point Plaza for a Beach Vibes Tiki Bar and Grill. Collins also said that E J’s Shopping Center is for sale. In other business, Collins said committee members for economic development meetings have been selected. The first meeting will be held in July.
Councilor Tiffany Moore is still recruiting residents for neighborhood watch to help the community stay safe. From May 15 to May 21, she said there were no residential burglaries, one vehicle theft, one robbery, but no business burglaries, no homicides, and no unlawful breaking and entering of vehicles.
Moore said the council is still working on getting information about the feasibility study for a police department and information will be coming within a few months.
Councilor Sharon Jones encouraged parents to take advantage of the Summer Reading Program at the Center Point Public Library. The new hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Reading Program started on June 1.