County communities pitch in to aid in clean up

Cities and towns from across the state are pitching in to help the areas affected by last Wednesday’s deadly tornadoes, including cities in Franklin County as city officials and volunteers do what they can to help their friends and neighbors to the east.

The city of Red Bay took a special time at their council meeting Monday to express their thoughts and sympathy for those who lost their lives, their loved ones or their homes.

“I appreciate the ones in our town who came out of the woodwork to help our neighbors,” Mayor Bobby Forsythe said. “Many in the community, many churches, the police and fire departments – they’ve all done their part to help and I know these people are appreciative of the work that’s been done.”

Red Bay City Councilman Mike Kennedy stressed the importance of everyone doing their part because there would be something they could help with.

“Some people have the means to be able to give more; some people can offer different services,” Kennedy said. “If nothing else, everyone is capable of offering words of encouragement and praying. Everyone can do that.”

“These people have lost things they’ve worked their whole lives for, and we can do what we can for them during this time,” councilman David Tiffin said. “This is going to be an on-going situation and our community is ready and willing to help.”

Red Bay also observed the National Day of Prayer of Thursday, which is something the city has recognized for many years, but this year the city recognized the need to focus on praying for the recent tragedy.

Larry Hill, pastor of First Baptist Church in Red Bay opened the service by praying for the victims, families and the tragedy as a whole, and Buster Timmons, pastor of First United Methodist Church in Red Bay, spoke on the importance of prayer and keeping it in he forefront in the days to come.

“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them,” Forsythe said, as he quoted Matthew 18:20 from the Bible. “Red Bay is a blessed city and we sometimes get nonchalant about that fact, and it takes something like this to rattle our cages.

“We never know when it could be us in the same situation our neighbors are in, needing their help, so we want to do all we can to help them.”

Even though Red Bay observes the National Day of Prayer every year, councilwoman Charlene Fancher said it was especially important to petition the Lord during this time.

“If ever there was a time to pray, it is now,” Fancher said. “My heart aches for these places that have been affected and the loss of life is so tragic, but even though the South is hurt, the South is strong. We come together in a time of need and that’s what we’ll continue to do for our friends.”

Russellville officials have sent fire, police and street department workers to the county areas affected by the storm.

“As soon as we heard that Phil Campbell had been hit, we sent an engine crew out there,” Russellville Fire Chief Joe Mansell said.

“It was not just us, it was all the departments in Franklin County who responded to help them. These departments in the county have done an excellent job and the support they are getting from their communities is great.”

Russellville City Councilman William Nale said the city employees had been working hard to do all they could for their neighbors.

“It is going to be a long process, but I believe everyone here will do all they can to help the people who are hurting right now,” he said.

The Franklin County highway and sanitation departments have also been busy working to assist in any way possible.

Probate Judge Barry Moore said the county’s emergency management agency, as well as other county departments, had been working wherever needed.

“I think that we are a little ahead of the game, at least as best as we can be right now, in the recovery process because of all the people who are working so hard,” Moore said.

“Everyone is pulling together and that makes it easier to get things done. This will take time and won’t be easy, but everyone is working together and that has been good to see.”