County to name new bridge after WWII veteran Thomas Cleveland
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District 1 County Commissioner John Forbus presents a resolution to Thomas Cleveland’s daughter, Wanda Chesnutt, reflecting a bridge being named in honor of her dad. Photo by Lydia Waters
Wanda Chesnutt, daughter of World War II veteran Thomas Cleveland, speaks about and honors her dad during the Commission meeting following the approval and adoption of the resolution. Photo by Lydia Waters
By Christa Jennings
Senior Staff Writer
Following action taken at last week’s County Commission meeting, a new bridge will be named in memory of Thomas Cleveland, a World War II veteran, two-time Purple Heart recipient and lifetime county resident.
With all commissioners present, the Commission unanimously approved naming a new bridge crossing Ray Creek on County Road 75 in honor of Cleveland. The name of the bridge is to be Thomas Cleveland Memorial Bridge.
A resolution was adopted and presented to Cleveland’s daughter, Wanda Cleveland Chesnutt, following the approval. The resolution highlighted some of Cleveland’s accomplishments and military highlights.
In part, the resolution reads, “Whereas, Thomas Cleveland was drafted into the military to serve in World War II in April 1943 and was trained in demolition. He received his first injury while training with TNT after a detonation cap exploded in his hand; and whereas, Cleveland received his first Purple Heart after being shot in the shoulder in Normandy, France. The bullet was never removed from his shoulder. The metal-covered Bibles that he carried still has blood stains on it from the gunshot wound; and whereas, Cleveland received his second Purple Heart after being injured during the Battle of the Bulge.”
The resolution also recognizes that Cleveland served in World War II for three years and received a battlefield promotion from private first class to sergeant after being reunited with his unit after having been separated when Germans were encountered.
The resolution further reads, “It is appropriate that we express our gratitude by honoring Mr. Thomas Cleveland as a treasured member of Coosa County and for his service to our country and a lifetime of sacrifice, dedication and accomplishments.”
Cleveland passed away at his home on March 4, 2023, at the age of 98. He was a faithful member of Andrew’s Chapel for most of his life and is buried in Hanover Cemetery.
District 1 County Commissioner John Forbus presented the adopted resolution to Wanda Chesnutt, who took the opportunity to speak about her beloved dad, speaking “through the eyes of a child of a great man.”
“The only thing that could make this day any better would be if my daddy were sitting here with all of you, and me being able to watch him smile as you took your time to show your support and love and honor him in this way,” she said.
She said that he volunteered to serve in WWII at the age of 18, weighing only 118 pounds. One of 10 children, including five boys and five girls, she said that all five boys served in the military.
She said that her dad survived by moving forward. Having received two Purple Hearts, her dad said that he would have made a career of the military, but they kept using him as a target.
She recalled that her dad also always cared about what was going on in his community.
Goodwater Disabled Veterans Commander Wade McElrath also spoke about Cleveland and honored him.
“Mr. Thomas Cleveland was indeed an American veteran,” he said. “It’s instilled in us to ‘talk less; do more.’ Imagine at 18 joining the military and leaving everything you know..
McElrath said that Cleveland sacrificed time away from family, was a demolition expert and survived most of his colleagues being killed. He added that the bridge being named in memory of Cleveland is a great honor, and on behalf of the Goodwater Disabled Veterans, he thanked the County Commission for allowing him to be there and speak about Cleveland.
In other business during last week’s meeting, the Commission also unanimously approved a construction agreement for the McClellan Industrial Drive extension project.
The agreement is for the Alabama Department of Transportation and Coosa County to cooperate in the “grade, drain, base, and pave for the extension of McClellan Industrial Drive to benefit Alabama Graphite Products.”
The total cost of the project is estimated at $918,822.33, per the agreement, with the county funds being zero and the funding source being Corporation Industrial Access funds.
Relating to the project funding, the agreement reads that “the state will not be liable for state funds in excess of the state’s share of the cost hereinafter set forth. Any deficiency in state funds or overrun in construction costs will be borne by the county from county funds. In the event of an underrun in construction costs, the state funds will not exceed the actual cost.”
This is a cost reimbursement program, with no federal funds being provided to the county prior to the accomplishment of the work.
Additionally, when considering the consent agenda, which includes budget-approved raises, the Commission heard from EMS Director Hollie Osbourn regarding pay evaluations for the county’s EMS crews and consideration for pay raises.
Osbourn explained that Coosa County Ambulance has recently lost a couple of paramedics, saying that the county needs to pay more to be competitive with surrounding areas. She said that she would also like to hire more crew members.
In addressing the pay scale, she said the current hourly pay rate for Coosa County Ambulance is $18.54 for paramedics, $16.48 for advance, $14.36 for basic, and $12.24 for EMR.
She said the surrounding services have hourly pay scales of $19-24 for paramedics, $15-19 for advance, $14-18 for basic, and $11-14 for EMR.
In order to remain competitive and to retain and hire new personnel, Osbourn said she needed to increase the hourly pay for crew members. As such, she presented a competitive adjustment per hour per level, reflecting $21 for paramedics, an increase of $2.46 per hour; $17 for advance, an increase of 52 cents; $16 for basic, an increase of $1.64; and $13 for EMR, an increase of 76 cents.
After reviewing Osbourn’s proposal and District 4 Commissioner Ronnie Joiner asking to ensure the county can afford the proposed pay raises, which County Administrator Amy Gilliland said would be covered by the tag fee, the Commission unanimously approved the consent agenda, to include those raises.
In other business, the Commission unanimously approved:
- For Chair Lamar Daugherty to sign the Proclamation of Sexual Assault Awareness recognizing April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, following a presentation by Debra Higgins, forensic services director at Safe House.
- Reappointing Billy Reed as a 6-year Board member to the Hollins Water Authority beginning April 2025 through April 2031.
- The purchase of two 2026 International single axle cab and chassis with 10-foot Warren dump beds for the Highway Department, at a cost of $125,000 each.
- A GovDeals Addendum for GovDeals’ Financial Settlement Services.
- Adopting a resolution recognizing Linda Burton on her tenure as president of a Baptist Association.
- Tabling an agenda item for the Commission to enter into a user agreement with Biometrics for the Sheriff’s Office.
During the meeting the Commission also heard from Samantha Godsy, director of the Horseshoe Bend Regional Library, discussing services offered by the Regional Library to Coosa County. She reviewed information about the Regional Library, its bookmobile and outreach services, saying that they want to serve Coosa County as a whole.
The next regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the Coosa County Commission will be held at 9 a.m. May 13.
