Centerville lauds first responders' work during last week's storm
CENTERVILLE -- First responders took the spotlight during the Centerville City Council's meeting this week as councilmen offered kudos for police, firefighters and public works employees' response to Friday's tornado and severe weather.
Councilman Cameron Andrews said he thanked God the city saw no storm-related fatalities and that damage was not worse.
He said he made several trips to worst-hit areas, such as Sentry Oaks Drive, and each time saw police, fire and public works crews clearing roads and providing service to residents.
Andrews said he and Mayor John Harley, who also toured the damaged areas, found people "shaken" but doing well and city workers "working out there non-stop" getting the job done "without complaint."
Mike Brumfield, the city's director of operations and public works department head, was out of town during the storm, said Andrews, who commended city workers for their ability to respond to the emergency without department head supervision. Andrews also commended Brumfield for equipping work crews to do their jobs in his absence.
In a separate matter, Councilman Edward Armijo applauded the city's new police chief, Ronald Rodgers, for his officers' response to a March 26 hostage situation.
About 8 that night in the 100 block of Collins Avenue, police officers were told by a woman that her husband had a knife, Rodgers said. The man, Billy Lee Floyd, threatened to kill himself and after he retreated into the house, officers were told there were guns inside, Rodgers said. Shots were fired inside the house, and a county task force, which included Houston County and Warner Robins SWAT and negotiation forces, was called in.
The situation was resolved without injuries.
Floyd had been charged with terroristic threats, discharging a firearm in the city and disorderly conduct with a weapon in the incident.
During Tuesday's council meeting, promotion ceremonies were conducted for now-Lt. Michael Montford. In addition to being promoted, Montford is now head of the department's support services division, Rodgers said. The division essentially is the department's criminal investigation division.
Montford, a 17-year veteran officer, said he has worked in the Centerville department two years, coming to the force from the Byron Police Department.
Also Tuesday, council members encouraged residents to do spring cleaning before April 22 and put trash on the streets by 7:30 a.m. that day for one extra run of sanitation trucks. Councilman Randall Wright said the city's recycling center off Carl Vinson Parkway at Elberta Road would be open to receive recyclables and trash. Hotdogs also will be served there from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call the city at 478-953-4734 for more information and to find out what is acceptable for collection and drop off.
Contact writer Michael W. Pannell at mwpannell@gmail.com.
This story was originally published April 6, 2016 at 7:33 PM with the headline "Centerville lauds first responders' work during last week's storm ."