After years of planning and fundraising, the Lodi-Minerva Volunteer Fire Department has moved from conception and determination to completion.
The construction of the Lodi-Minerva Volunteer Fire Department is in its final stages and is now a reality for the communities it will serve, thanks to the selfless sacrifices of the men and women involved and a grant secured by Rep. Karl Oliver.
The conception of the fire department came because of the time it took for volunteer firefighters in Duck Hill, Kilmichael and Poplar Creek to respond to their calls. Because of the size of the county, the Lodi and Minerva community may see call times of up to 10-15 minutes, and a group of concerned citizens wanted to do something to change that.
Now, four years later, they’re beginning to see the fruits of their labor.
“We’re just thankful to see it come to pass. We’re lacking a few more things. It’s been kind of slow in this pandemic, but overall we’ve been pleased with it,” Henry Townsend, Jr., said.
Tee Golden said there’s work on the inside they’re planning to do themselves.
“We’re wanting to build an office and an inside bathroom,” he said. “But, it’s pretty much complete.” Townsend added that sewer lines, water lines and the kitchen still need to be completed.
“Those are the key things,” Townsend said. “We also have to finish the groundwork. We’re going to do as much as we can. Don’t really know about the sewer. The state has its own set of criteria, and I don’t know if we can.”
In October 2018, the group began working toward a grant with the help of their Supervisor Willie Earl Townsend, Jr. In April 2019, Townsend posted a letter on his Facebook page from Representative Karl Oliver (R-Winona) congratulating the Board of Directors on being awarded $100,000 from the state to go toward the construction of the volunteer fire department.
Oliver’s letter read: “Prior to the 2019 Legislative Session convening, District 3 Supervisor Willie Earl Townsend, Jr. and myself began working on and laying out a plan to see the construction and completion of the Lodi-Minerva VFD through. In an effort to meet the needs of this rural section of Montgomery County’s citizens and provide them with adequate protection, we made this a priority.”
Now, almost two years later, the Lodi-Minerva Volunteer Fire Department is merely a few steps away from being completely finished, with the inside work being completed in-kind.
Golden said the executive board met last week to go over their punch list to ensure everything was completed and everyone was satisfied with the work. He said the group is looking to do more fundraisers to help raise the money to finish the work, but with COVID-19, they hadn’t had much luck.
“No one really wants to get out,” he said.
“We are looking for donations,” Townsend said. “Our money is getting kind of low, and we still have some things to do.”
If anyone wants to donate, they can contact Townsend at 662-508-0128, Redell Coffey at 662-283-5373, Golden at 662-310-7777, Kenny Loggins at 662-283-3538, Supervisor Willie Earl Townsend, Jr. at 662-283-5564, Raymond Bailey at 662-283-5720, and Eddie Young at 662-283-4163.
