CULLMAN, Ala. – A candlelight prayer vigil in memory of Curt Wilson is scheduled for Monday, March 16, 2020 at 6 p.m. on the front lawn of Cullman First Baptist Church. The Cullman County Commission at its Tuesday meeting granted permission for the event to Patti Ward, cousin of Curt’s mother, Ashley Wilson. Organizers moved the event from the courthouse across the street to the church because they do not know how many people will show up, and they did not make a request to the City of Cullman for use of the sidewalks in time, according to Ashley Wilson.
Curt Wilson was killed by a drunk driver May 7, 2017.
The driver responsible for the crash, Bradford Neal Meeks, faced a murder charge in the case, but was found guilty of the lesser charge of criminally negligent homicide Jan. 30, 2020. Meeks will be sentenced March 17.
Ward explained to the commissioners the reason behind the vigil, saying, “Our goal is to provide a positive and peaceful showing of support for Ashley and Curt and their immediate family. We will be praying for our community, as well, that we will be united by the tragedy of Curt’s death to be more thoughtful, more careful, wiser in our choices and kinder in spirit.”
In a Facebook post Tuesday afternoon, Ward shared, “As we prepare to close the most difficult chapter in our family’s history, we want to invite the community of Cullman to take part in a candlelight prayer vigil on March 16, at 6 p.m. (on the) First Baptist front lawn, across from the courthouse. Worship music will be provided by Curt’s cousin, Walker Caretti and the FBC praise and worship team. Friends and family will share ‘Curt’ stories. Candles and prayer cards will be provided. Let’s show Ashley some love as we prayerfully lift her up during this most difficult time. Please share this post!”
In the morning work session prior to the meeting, Chairman Kenneth Walker talked about supporting efforts to assist local veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A new treatment for PTSD is the stellate ganglion block (SGB) shot, and back in December, Cullman nonprofit Saving Forgotten Warriors (SFW) officially launched the local effort, the “800 Club,” to help area veterans receive the shot. The effort was named as such because that is the price per veteran to participate. (See more at www.cullmantribune.com/tag/sgb.)
Walker said, “I think we ought to do at least four.”
Commissioners Kerry Watson and Garry Marchman agreed to donate $3,200 to the local VFW.
The commission also amended a resolution passed in 2018 for a tax abatement to American Classics.
Stanley Kennedy, project manager for Cullman Economic Development Agency, explained, “They ended up spending more money on equipment than they expected. It was in the $600,000s is what they predicted on equipment, but they ended up spending $1.5 million. This will result in additional use tax, roughly about $8,000 in use tax, for education, and over the term of the abatement another $13,000 in property tax. It’s a little bit of change but a little bit more money for kids in our schools, and once the abatement passes, more money for the county as a whole.”
Cullman County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director Phyllis Little updated the commission on damages caused by heavy rainfall in the month of February.
“Roughly the damage is just for the county road department in culverts and the bridge (County Road 827 between Logan and Bethel),” said Little. “We are looking at $124,000-plus on labor and materials for culverts and other damage. Then, $150,000-$200,000 for the replacement of the bridge.”
Little said she will turn those totals over to the State, but she is unsure what, if any, assistance the County may receive.
The commission last month declared a local state of emergency dating back to Feb. 5, 2020. The local emergency was terminated at Tuesday’s meeting. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey declared a state of emergency for all 67 counties in Alabama beginning Feb. 18.
Little also addressed concerns about the 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), which causes the disease known as COVID-19.
“We have actually added a link to our webpage for the public to be able to have easy access to all the (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) CDC updates or information of any kind. Still, at this time, we still do not have a confirmed case of coronavirus yet.”
In other business, the commission took the following actions:
- Set a public hearing to consider the vacation of a portion of County Road 2101 for April 28. 2020 at 10 a.m.
- Approved the purchase of an engine from Southland International for a 2015 Tandem dump truck
- Approved the annual spring clean-up “Free Dump Day” during the month of May. Vouchers will be included in upcoming utility bills.
- Approved the surplus of six Kenworth three-axle dump trucks
- Authorized Walker to sign an auction agreement with JM Wood Auction Company to dispose of six Kenworth three-axle dump trucks on or before June 2020.
- Extended bid for recycled asphalt pavement (RAP Millings) to Good Hope Contracting
- Awarded bid for structural steel to Harris Steel.
- Awarded bid for reinforcing steel to Harris Steel.
The next work session will be Tuesday, March 24, 2020 at 8:30 a.m. in the commission conference room followed by the commission meeting at 10 a.m. in the commission meeting room.
Copyright 2020 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
