MONTGOMERY COUNTY – Montgomery County residents met at Springhill Baptist Church on July 13 to discuss needed steps in establishing the Lodi Minerva Fire Station in the Lodi Community.
“We talked about getting a road into the facility, but we’re waiting on the county to do that,” said Redell Coffey, resident and former firefighter.
The group also discussed possible ways to fund the project, such as a garage sale that will be hosted at 1765 Lodi Road in Montgomery County from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 12, according to Coffey.
“We’re going to try to get funding for the building the best way we can, and we’re going to try to get grants,” said Coffey.
Area resident Willie Townsend Jr., who works as a firefighter for the Grenada Fire Department, said a fire station in the area would offer quicker and better response times for residents.
“You will still have resources from Kilmichael, Duck Hill and Winona, but you will have these resources too,” said Townsend.
A new fire station will not only decrease response time, but lower insurance rates while offering other benefits, he said.
“It’s going to mean more public service out there,” said Townsend, adding residents have been looking into how the facility can be American Disability Act approved. Local residents will discuss the fire station again during their next meeting scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 10 at Kilmichael Baptist Church, Coffey said.
Everyone interested in the garage sale or the fire station can call Henry Townsend at 662-283-4867, Redell Coffey at 662-283-5373, Raymond Bailey at 662-283-5720 or Kenny Loggins at 662-283-3538.
