The Haleyville Area Chamber of Commerce held a local candidate forum Friday at the Galley. Don Dimond asked questions selected at random by the candidates. Candidates and Chamber members shown above participated in the program. Council candidates with no opposition and already certified gave a brief talk. Left to Right Front Kris Burleson, Donna Jamerson Jones,Valeria Mae Burchanan Taylor. Back, Bobby Taylor, Richard Bicycle Bittinger, Christopher Jordan Wilson, George H. Russell,Steven “Bud” Wilson, Drew Thrasher, Ken Sunseri, Jonathan Bennett, Don Dimond.

Arthur Terry Hockaday, former manager of MASH Medical Supplies in Haleyville was indicted by a Winston County Grand Jury in August of 2014 and charged with theft of property, 1st degree. The charges resulted from Hockaday cashing checks written to MASH for his personal gain. The checks totaled over $100,000 in the course of a year.

On July 22, 2016, in a plea agreement, Hockaday was sentenced to 15 years in jail. However, Hockaday received a split sentence from Judge Carter and will be required to serve 3 years supervised probation before serving actual jail time. After his probation period, during which time he is expected to make restitution in the amount of $99,714.85, he will be able to petition the court to re-evaluate the case.

The Alabama State Department of Education previously set guidelines for local education agencies to partner with community agencies’ At-Risk programs.  The request proposals are available and may be picked up at the Haleyville Board of Education.

Any person working directly with students will be required to have a fingerprint and background check.  All community agencies must present a copy of your 501(c) 3 to receive an application form.  All forms must be completed and returned to Susan Riggs at The Haleyville Board of Education no later than  3:00 P.M.  August 26, 2016.

Open airplane hangers to be replaced by new fully enclosed hangers

The Haleyville City Council met Monday with Royce Benefield absent. After approving the minutes from the last meeting on July 18, the candidates running without opposition in the upcoming city election were presented certificates of election. The following names of those certified will not appear on the ballot. City Councilmen Richard (Bicycle) Bittinger, Jonathan Bennett, Drew Thrasher, Royce Benefield, and school board member Kris Burleson.

Thirteen election officials were approved for the five polling locations which will be open for the city election on August 23. Those polling places include the Neighborhood Facility Building, 21st Street Gym, Needmore, the Pebble Fire Department and the Delmar Fire Station.

The Council approved the low bid for hanger replacement at the Haleyville airport from Bama Builders for $409,000 pending approval of a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The Council approved the authorization of Mayor Ken Sunseri to complete the FAA grant application and consultant selection for the hanger project. Total requested FAA funds equate to $422,687.00. Work should begin in October.

Shelter Products, a mobile home supplier, which has been located in Phil Campbell for many years, having met the criteria specified by the city and state was granted a 10-year tax abatement for it’s move to the Haleyville North Industrial Park. The abatement is on all state and local non-educational property taxes.

The Haleyville Industrial Development Board reappointments were Ricky McCreless, Gurvis Sutherland, and Richard Roberson. Appointed were Wallace Thrasher and Jonathan Lowe.

The next meeting of the Haleyville City Council will be Monday, August 18.

Thanks for visiting www.hbtv.us. If you have been one of over 5 to 6 million hits per month you have noticed a change in the looks of the site. Word Press software is now being utilized to bring you the best news and information available in this area. A few things have changed, not just the look. You can now sign in and post to the Bulletin Board and HBSells as you could before, but much easier, especially with a photo. If you have previously posted on HBSells and you do not see your post, and would like to have it still, please re-post. Sorry for the inconvenience. While not perfect, this site is a continuing work in progress. Edit capability for HBSells is in the works. What do you like and what can be done differently? Contactus@hbtv.us

Debbie Tidwell standing and Stacy Palmer sitting, Winston County 9-1-1 Dispatchers

The Winston County E 9-1-1 Communications District has recently completed an equipment upgrade project that included a Next-Generation 9-1-1 Call Taking solution along with a Computer Aided Dispatch and Mapping application that will enhance the Districts ability to gather and maintain accurate dispatch data and prepare for future Next-Generation capabilities as they become available. The District expended funds in the amount of $233,587.74 collectively for the new systems.

The District contracted with Ryan Public Safety Solutions (RPSS) for the purchase, installation and maintenance services of the new equipment.   The Call Taking solution is an Airbus VESTA 9-1-1 solution that will deliver 9-1-1 and administrative call processing capabilities from a fully integrated Internet Protocol (IP) soft switch that will also provide complete redundancy in operation.    

A new Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) and Mapping solution from GeoConex is also part of the new configuration and will enhance the dispatching capabilities of both dispatchers and supervisory personnel.  The application aids in identifying the location of the caller and can easily distinguish the status of active calls, while recording various status times, radio communications history, and historical calls.  This multipurpose tool also allows the dispatcher the ability so schedule pre-planned events and automated reporting capabilities that will improve ISO communications ratings.

Eaton/Wright-Line was awarded the contract for dispatch consoles for the center to accommodate the equipment upgrade. Eaton/Wright-Line is a leader in the design and manufacture of sophisticated communications consoles that are designed to accommodate current and emerging technology in emergency communications and dispatch.

The comprehensive system has been in the planning phase by District Director Tim Webb for almost two years with the support and approval of the District’s Board of Directors. With the advent of the new system, the District will migrate away from paper documents and move to digital storage for almost every phase of daily operations. The IP-based system is capable of utilizing the developing statewide ANGEN network that will replace the current 9-1-1 network that has been used since the early inception of 9-1-1.

The new upgrade replaces a legacy system that had been in operation since 2003 and the consoles replace built-in cabinetry in use since 1999.

Ryan Public Safety Solutions staff has over 75 years of design, installation, and maintenance experience in the emergency communications industry and is located in Guntersville Alabama.

Airbus VESTA 9-1-1 is a product of Airbus Defense and Space and is a world leader in NextGen communications systems.

GeoConex Corporation has been serving the public safety industry since 2001. GeoConex is a leading integrator of Public Safety and Homeland Security systems and is located in Knoxville Tennessee.

– Tim Webb, Director, Winston County 9-1-1.

Emily Johnson, new Assistant Principal and Christy Bice, Principal of Haleyville Elementary

 The Haleyville City Schools Board of Education met Tuesday with Beth McAlpine absent. The Board approved the following items on the agenda.

The financial statements and board expenditures for June in the amount of $1,432,184.67.

Amendments to the Instructional Policy.

Breakfast workers assignment.

Lunchroom a la carte prices.

Service agreements for the 2016 football season.

An amendment to the HHS Fee Schedule.

In addition, the board approved the use of three school facilities, one field trip, and seven fund-raisers.

In personnel, the Board approved hiring Emily Johnson as assistant Principal at the Haleyville Elementary School. Suzanne Caldwell was hired as Special Education Teacher for Haleyville High.

A Probationary Principal Contract for HES was approved for Christy Bice.

The teachers and staff will return to the school on August 4 with the first day for students on August 10. The next meeting of the Haleyville City Schools Board of Education will be Tuesday, August 23.

The Haleyville City Council met Monday afternoon for their regular bi-monthly meeting with Jonathan Bennett absent. The council approved the May general operation bills in the amount of 417,856.01. Not on the agenda, but brought up by acting city clerk Debra Hood, the need for new accounting software and computers to run it on. She stated she had checked with the Alabama League of Municipalities and the recommendations of other cities as to the software they were using and the support available. A motion was made and he decision of the council was made to purchase new software for $26,611.00 plus an additional $11,000 per year for support. An additional $12,393.00 to a local company, Jen-Eric for new computers. The first year total will be $50,0004 for the new computers, software, and support.

The next meeting of the Haleyville City Council will be Monday, August 1, 5:30 at the City Hall.

Marcel Weaver, the father of Haleyville Fire Chief Phillip Weaver, was reportedly struck by lightning about noon on Thursday while he was working on his lawn mower at his home in South Haleyville. He was transported to a Birmingham hospital where he was sedated and remained overnight under observation. According to family members, Marcel is at home and doing well.

A reminder, remain vigilant as to the dangers of lightning. Do not stand under trees or even outdoors during a thunderstorm which contains lightening.