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THE SOUTHERN TORCH / FRIDAY, JANUARY 24, 2020 / VOL. 6, NO. 4 / $1.00
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THIS WEEK IN SPORTS
THIS WEEK IN BUSINESS
THIS WEEK IN POLITICS
THIS WEEK IN COMMUNITY
• Varsity & JV Winners of the DeKalb County Tournament!
• Rainsville Chamber Banquet • Dentristry from the Heart
• FP Takes Ownership of Cemetery • Calling All Poll Workers
• Preparing for Performance • Memorial to be Held for Four Chaplains
"ABSOLUTELY"
It's Never Too Late
Council Eyes $90K+ Pay Raise By Marla Jones Managing Editor marla@southerntorch.com
RAINSVILLE, Ala. — The Rainsville City Council held its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, January 20. At the meeting, the Council discussed a pay raise for the next administration. The raise, which includes insurance benefits, would raise the Mayor’s salary to $2,000 per month and the Councilmembers to $800 per month. The last time the Council and Mayor received a raise was in 2008. “2008 was the last time the Council and Mayor saw a raise when it had a $2.8 million budget,� said Councilmember Brandon Freeman. “The raise won’t impact the Council now, it’ll be the incoming administration elected in August.� When asked to vote on the proposed ordinance, Freeman
Councilmembers Brandon Freeman and Marshall Stiefel square off on pay raises and insurance for the Mayor and City Council. (Marla Jones | Southern Torch)
stated, “I absolutely vote yes� [in favor of the raises.] “If you’re active in your department, you spend a lot of time there. It’s well-justified,� he added. Councilmember Marshall Stiefel stated his opposition to the proposed pay hike. “I have brought up tax cuts for citizens and pay raises for City employees on multiple occasions, and each time, I faced opposition because of budget constraints,� Stiefel
stated. “After checking with the City’s accountant and the Mayor, with the proposed raises and health insurance plans for elected officials, the taxpayer would be on the hook for nearly an additional $90,000+ per year.� “I think the money would be better spent on raises for our City employees,� concluded Stiefel. Ordinances require unanimous consent on when first introduced
and the measure did not receive unanimous support in the first reading and thus it failed to pass. Once an ordinance has been introduced, it can be passed and adopted with a simple majority in any subsequent meeting. During the work session, Kay Guffey requested $800 from the Council for “Trees in the Park,� a tree-planting operation that coincides with Arbor Day. Last year, the Council approved the planting of cherry trees last year and Guffey hoped to extend the planting into this year. Guffey also asked that February 22 be proclaimed Arbor Day in the City of Rainsville. All of Guffey’s requests were approved. Pam Clay of the DeKalb County Economic Development Authority and representatives from Rainsville Technology
>> COUNCIL, P7
Fort Payne Fire Chief Ron Saferite (Photo by Marla Jones | Southern Torch)
By Marla Jones, Managing Editor marla@southerntorch.com
FORT PAYNE, Ala. — In 1982, Ron Saferite was freshly out of school and beginning his collegiate career. Life began to take its toll, and eventually, Saferite had to drop out of school. He began what would become a 30-year career with the Fort Payne Fire Department, where he now serves as Chief. This year, Saferite completed his Applied Sciences Degree in Medical Rescue Technology at Northeast Alabama Community College (NACC). "I have always wanted to finish what I started and obtain my degree," said Saferite. "It was something that meant a lot to me." Saferite is married to his wife Sabrina, and together, they have two children, Dusty Bradley and Keisha Saferite. They have one grandchild named Brantley Silver. "This achievement just goes to show that it's never too late to fulfill your long-held goals," he concluded. Congratulations Chief Saferite, we're proud of you!
Oh Deer: Alabama in 'High Risk' of Crashes By Marla Jones Managing Editor marla@southerntorch.com
ALABAMA — Alabama ranks high on the list of states where drivers are more likely to hit a deer on the road. According to a reports from January 2020, an estimated 1 in every 92 drivers in Alabama will come into collision with an animal. From July 2018 to June 2019, there were 1.9
million dollars worth of collision claims reported by U.S. motorists. While other animal claims were reported, deer were the most hazardous. Alabama ranked 23rd in the list of "high risk" states. According to officials, deer are in "rut", a mating season that extends to certain kinds of animals. The rut of many species are triggered by shorter day lengths.
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During this active time, bucks may jump out in front of vehicles in pursuit of a doe or to fight another buck. As a driver, the most important things to remember in "rut" season are: • Slow down, particularly at dusk and dawn • If you see one deer, be prepared for more deer to cross • Use high beams to increase visibility (except when there is
oncoming traffic) • Don't veer to avoid a collision, most crash-related deaths occur after swerving. Instead, break firmly and hold your steering wheel as you come to a stop. As of 2020, the states with the highest likelihood for an animal-vehicle collision are West Virginia , Montana, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Iowa, Wyoming, Wisconsin, Michigan, Mississippi, and Minnesota.
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