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By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

Clanton Mayor Jeff Mims and the Clanton City Council recognized Joshua J. Minor at its council meeting on June 26 for completing a year-long internship with the Clanton Fire Department.

Minor, a Chilton County High School graduate in May, received a mayoral proclamation from Mims and the council, and it was read aloud at the meeting.

Minor began the year-long internship in August of 2022 and completed it when he graduated CCHS. “Peewee” as the CFD firefighters named him, wanted to come to the station to see if his interest in being a firefighter was warranted. Minor performed basic station duties during the internship such as cleaning the station and trucks, checking fire hydrants and fire prevention. Clanton Fire Chief David Driver said he did everything they asked him to do during his time at the station.

“It allowed him to see what it is like to work at a fire station and be a firefighter to ensure that is what he wants to do,” Driver said.

As a part of the proclamation read by Driver at the council meeting, the city of Clanton awarded Minor a scholarship to attend the Alabama Fire College in September. He must complete the school and earn his firefighting certificate in order to be hired in the state of Alabama as a full-time firefighter.

“Whereas the city of Clanton has the distinguished honor to recognize Minor for his dedicated and valiant service to the Clanton Fire Department,” the proclamation said. “On behalf of Clanton Mayor Jeff Mims and the Clanton City Council, we recognize the service Joshua J. Minor has displayed and awards him a scholarship to complete his firefighter training certification as detailed in resolution 2023-06-22-07.”

Driver said the city will hopefully be able to hire Minor after he completes his schooling. Driver added that the CFD was able to develop a program so they can do the internship again in the future and offer more help to the aspiring firefighters in Chilton County.

Also at the meeting, ordinance 2023-08 was approved unanimously by the council that will establish new signage regulations in the city of Clanton’s arts and entertainment district. The change was recommended by the Clanton Planning Commission and the first reading was held on June 12. The changes to the ordinance are trying to encourage businesses in the district to upgrade their storefronts and signage. By doing so, the city is hoping to create a more uniform look throughout the district.

Mims ended the meeting by thanking everyone who was involved and helped make the Peach Jam Jubilee on June 24 in Clanton City Park a success.

“It was just amazing to see how hard everyone worked to make sure all of this was done in an organized manner,” Mims said. “The city of Clanton, people know where we are at. There were people that came from all over the state to come to the Peach Festival … If you see anybody who was a part of this thing this year, just tell them you appreciate what they have done.”