Rockford adopts resolution honoring Shaw, Scarbrough
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.
The Rockford Town Council adopted a resolution honoring Raymond Shaw Jr. and Charles Lewis Scarbrough for their hard work and dedication in helping preserve and maintain The Old Rockford School on County Road 18. Photo by Christa Jennings
By Christa Jennings
Senior Staff Writer
During last Tuesday’s meeting, the Rockford Town Council unanimously approved and adopted a resolution honoring Raymond Shaw Jr. and Charles Lewis Scarbrough for their significant contributions and dedication in preserving and maintaining The Old Rockford School.
The town recently acquired the old school property on County Road 18, but prior to that it was known as the Rockford Council of Arts and Crafts, with events and meetings having been held at the facility, in addition to it being rented for others to use for special events.
Rockford Mayor Scott White and the Council acknowledged how instrumental Shaw and Scarbrough were in initially preserving the old school facility and helping maintain it for future generations.
White explained that the resolution, titled “Resolution: Honoring 2026-03,” is to honor Shaw and Scarbrough for all the things they did over the years to help maintain the old school.
“I’ve got some back history on the school and how much money they actually raised to put into it,” White said.
He mentioned Shaw and Scarbrough having been awarded some money from senators, companies and others to help with preserving the school facility.
“It was in terrible shape with the floors warped and all that stuff, so most of that money went for the infrastructure, and it was right around $180,000,” White said. “So I thought it’d be a nice gesture if we went ahead and did a resolution honoring them for that.”
He added that there will be a plaque placed at the Old Rockford School honoring them, as well.
The resolution is “commending and honoring Raymond Shaw Jr. and Charles Lewis Scarbrough for exceptional service in the renovation and preservation of The Old Rockford School.”
The resolution reads, “Whereas, Raymond Shaw Jr. and Charles Lewis Scarbrough demonstrated outstanding dedication to the preservation of the history and heritage of the Town of Rockford, Alabama, through the restoration of The Old Rockford School, located at 8840 Coosa County Road 18; and whereas, The Old Rockford School is a significant landmark, originally constructed in 1927 and recognized for its role as the town’s first schoolhouse; and whereas, Raymond Shaw Jr. and Charles Lewis Scarbrough spearheaded this renovation project, investing significant personal time, energy and expertise to ensure that the restoration adhered to historic preservation standards, maintaining the building’s integrity while updating it for modern, functional use; and whereas, the restoration efforts, including new roof and interior rehabilitation, have revitalized a key area of our town and serve as an inspiration for future preservation efforts; and whereas, the Town Council of Rockford wishes to publicly acknowledge and express its gratitude for this contribution to our community’s cultural landscape.”
The resolution further reads that “the Town Council of Rockford… does hereby commend Raymond Shaw Jr. and Charles Lewis Scarbrough for their dedication to The Old Rockford School renovation and for their selfless service to our community.”
In other business, in reviewing the February financial statements, White asked to confirm that the town should be receiving a grant check back for cameras. Town Clerk Lesle Nelson said once they are all installed then she has to request the funds back.
In discussion about the cameras and locations, White explained that three were already installed, and the fourth one would be installed the next week.
Councilmember Cordarius Lee asked about where the cameras are installed, and Police Chief George Fanning explained there’s one on Alabama Highway 22 West on the Rockford side of Nixburg Road near the cemetery, on Highway 22 East near the town limits sign and U.S. Highway 231 South “just past the sub station.”
Fanning added that the fourth one would be installed “around or just north of the furniture store.”
During discussion White said the state has to approve where the cameras are installed and that they did not want to put them right around the town signs.
The camera discussion relates to a grant the town was awarded from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, or ADECA, for flock cameras, or license plate reader systems.
The town applied for the grant last January, and on July 14, 2025, the town’s application was approved. The grant application was to purchase and install four flock cameras, with the grant totaling $12,000.
While the town was awarded the grant in July, the cameras were only recently installed because of a lengthy process involving placement.
Town Clerk Nelson explained that Fanning had to submit paperwork about approximately where he wanted them, with that paperwork getting sent to Montgomery and then back to Alexander City to the Alabama Department of Transportation for review and to determine exact locations, which she explained has to be approved by the state before the cameras can be placed. She added that the state told them up front that could take three to six months.
Fanning said that it took six to eight months to complete the process. He said they first had to get approved through the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency to have access to the private information.
He said it then had to go through ALDOT to get approval to install the cameras on their right of way. Fanning added that while he submitted approximate locations for placement, but that the state determines the exact location for installation because of visibility and sun exposure for the solar power, meaning they need to be out in the open.
In other business, the Town Council unanimously approved appointing Karen McEwen to the Rockford Public Library Board to fill a vacancy, replacing Melanie Glover for a term from April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2030.
The Council also unanimously approved the transfer of an alcohol license from Mapco Express to Delta Express, as requested by Hemali Patel, a new owner who is now leasing the gas station in Rockford. They noted that there are no changes to the type of license, with it only being a transfer.
In discussion, it was mentioned that the station now has some produce available inside the store, with Patel and the Council discussing some business ideas.
Patel and the Council also briefly discussed the issues with the gas pumps and card readers, with Patel asking the town to submit a letter addressing its concerns. She added that she hopes the card readers will be fixed soon so customers can conveniently pay at the pumps.
The next regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the Rockford Town Council will be held at 6 p.m. April 21.
The audio of this month’s Council meeting is available to subscribers here.
