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Gadsden mayor says amnesty day brought $40,000, praises storm response and opens campground
Summary
Mayor Craig Ford reported $40,000 in revenue from an amnesty day that reduced fines by up to 50%, described the city’s storm response after statewide tornadoes, announced the campground is open with incoming motorhomes, and said paving and ribbon-cuttings are under way.
Mayor Craig Ford told listeners during the Mayor’s Minute that the City of Gadsden collected about $40,000 at a recent amnesty day where residents with outstanding warrants could pay fines at up to a 50% reduction, and that the city’s emergency operations were tested but sustained no major damage during a recent statewide storm.
The amnesty day took place at the municipal complex in East Gadsden and, Ford said, “it was a win win situation for the, citizens and for the city of Gaston.” He said the program reduced the need to serve warrants and generated about $40,000 in revenue.
Ford also described Gadsden’s storm preparations and response. He said city departments — police, fire and public works — were staffed in advance, and that he spent several hours coordinating with emergency management and city staff. Ford said the state saw at least 16 tornadoes touch down and offered condolences to communities that were hit. “Anytime there's a type of storm like this, we're gonna take it as serious as can be,” he said, and thanked emergency personnel and dispatchers for their work.
On local projects, Ford said the city’s new campground is fully open and receiving visitors; he reported the first customer arrived and about 28 additional motor homes were arriving as he spoke. He praised crews working on paving and said work would begin on South Sixth Street near Cherry Street Park, then move to side streets in the area. “I can't say enough things to about Heath Williamson, our city engineer, and, the paving crew,” Ford said.
Ford also described mutual aid among area mayors during storm response, saying mayors in Etowah County coordinate and trade assistance; he cited past help to the town of Sardis and said Gadsden would offer similar help to nearby municipalities. He closed by announcing upcoming ribbon-cuttings, including for a new fire station and at the East Gadsden softball complex.
The Mayor’s Minute was delivered as a brief update rather than an agenda item; no formal votes or actions were presented during the remarks.
