The Journal-Record - Bicentennial Edition Thursday, July 1, 1976 Section B, Page 11 SPECIAL ELECTIONS FOR AIRPORT AND SCHOOL IMPROVEMENTS HELD NOVEMBER 8, 1938 SPECIAL ELECTIONS FOR AIR PORT AND SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT On November 8, 1938, a special election with A. G. COOK, Otis ASTON, and W. F. WHITE as managers and C. A. CADDELL, Hobson REESE, clerks; and H. F. BEASLEY, (returning officer), was held to see if the town favored a twelve-thousand bond issue to build a new Elementary School and improve the High School. In this election, a total of 257 citizens voted, 108 for and 149 against, to defeat the proposed worthy project by 41 votes. An interesting comparison of voting for a bond issue on another project was that of February 20, 1940, when the Town of Winfield held an election to see if the citizens favored floating an eight thousand bond issue to purchase the airport property and build an airport (Election officials were C. A. CADDELL, Howard DUNN, P. W. WESTBROOKS, managers; Hobson REESE, Wyman BOWLING, clerks and J. L. MOBLEY, returning officer, 283 citizens voted, with 27(sic) votes for and only 12 against. This bond issued passed in flying colors and on April 5, 1940, the bonds, to highest bidder, were sold at Mayor's office to Brodnaz and Company, Inc. Lions and Kiwanis greatly aided in project. 1940 ELECTION ON SEPT. 16 Mayor James McDONALD succeeded himself as Mayor again in 1940, and his cabinet included Aldermen: Gaither TIDWELL, M. V. WHITE, Sr., R. W. HARRIS, Jr., Ivan HILL and Rayburn WEBSTER. Election officials were: Claud CADDELL, Geva CANTERBURY, Hobson REESE, Maurice COUCH, and Ferman COUCH. TIDWELL was made city clerk and Ivan HILL, city treasurer. THE MAYOR'S salary was raised to seventy-five dollars per month, F. H. COUCH resigned as City Marshall and was replaced by Fred BULL, and Lon MOBLEY was hired as policeman, also John WEEKS. both R. W. HARRIS, Jr. and Ivan HILL resigned, later, to enter military service of World War II. HARRIS was replaced by Claude CADDELL and Almon HOSCH replaced Ivan HILL. It was also in this period that Luther HOLCOMB was hired as policeman, then replaced by Larking STEWART. Marshall MAY had been named Fire Chief during this period but was elected to fill the vacancy of Rayburn WEBSTER on the council as WEBSTER also resigned because of military duty. NEW BOARDS CREATED With the war years, came new boards in Winfield, among them the: War Price Rationing Board begun March 1, 1943; the new Tax Equalization Board, E. C. HOLLIS, Charles T. LUNSFORD and Bud NICHOLS. The town also let the Marion County War Committee have the front office of the City Hall for the duration of the war, March 6, 1944, and paid five dollars per month for clerical hire. Election officials for the City Election of September 18, 1944 were Willis WARD, O. W. EARNEST and W. F. WHITE, Mayor McDONALD and Aldermen TIDWELL, WHITE, HOSCH, CADDELL and MAY all succeeded themselves with TIDWELL as clerk and CADDELL as treasurer. J. E. SMITH replaced HOLCOMB as policeman during this administration, and later Dan W. HUDSON was hired as night policeman. G. H. TIDWELL resigned in 1946 as Alderman and was replaced by M. C. HOLLIS, Jr., present Mayor of Winfield. A NEW JAIL BUILT IN 1936(sic) On February 26, 1946, the Town Council passed a resolution to build and maintain a modern city jail, and on June 3, Will THORNTON and George THORNTON bought property from the town and agreed to build the modern jail and on December 1, 1947, an ordinance was passed stating that W. S. and George THORNTON would be exempt from special and admission taxes at the Pastime Theatre for a period of at least four years for their part in the construction of the new jail. WATER SYSTEM PURCHASED On March 25, 1946, the Council began negotiations to purchase the Water System from Warrior Water Works, and on June 3, they entered into the actual purchase agreement, the sale to be consummated by noon on August 31, 1946, for $62,000.00. Ivan HILL, L. C. JOINER and R. W. HARRIS, Jr. were appointed to the Water Board of Winfield. SEVERAL CHANGES, ORDINANCES July 15, 1946, Town imposed a license tax on businesses selling gasoline in corporate limits, and another cigarette tax was imposed as(sic) next meeting; ordinance making pool halls illegal on December 2, 1946; January 6, 1947 Rayburn WEBSTER, Hill MOSES and A. L. HOLT appointed as committee for curb and gutter project which required the borrowing of $6300.00 for the project. Joe KILGORE, Hall IVIE, Joe and Jack GUIN, and J. M. HIGHTOWER were appointed as paving committee which required the borrowing of $3,000.00 for this project (to be repaid by cigarette and gasoline taxes). On December 15, a total of $16,000 had been borrowed for curb and guttering. There was quite a list of changes in the Police Department at this period. J. W. WESTBROOKS was hired at one hundred and twenty-five per month and J. L. MOBLEY's salary as Chief of Police was raised to one hundred and fifty, then reraised to one hundred and seventy-five. Joe PALMER was hired at WESTBROOKS salary. The(sic) Junior TYRA was hired at $155 and Clarence HARRIS raised to that same figure. In May 1947, J. L. MOBLEY resigned and on Mary 12, Fred BULL and Bud WARREN were both hired at $150. Then HOLCOMB resigned again and was replaced by V. P. SMITH at salary of $110, plus twenty dollars for use of his private automobile, and Fred BULL was paid twenty-five for use of his car. On September 1, R. M. WILBANKS of Alabama Power met with the council on the Contract for the new street lighting system which is enjoyed today. On September 16, L. C. JOINER presented a petition for a change of the town government from Mayor and Aldermen to a City Commission. TOTAL ASSETS IN 1946 The total assets of the Town of Winfield, on October 7, 1946, were listed as $32,500.00 including eighty-five acres of Airport land, two acres of city park land and the Community Building, City Hall and Jail, fire truck and hose, and Chevrolet City truck with dump. CIVIC-TOWN PROJECTS On July 20, 1942, a committee composed of Miss Edith EGAN, Mrs. Hazel CASEY, Hershell ROBERTS and A. G. WILLIAMS, was appointed to work with the town council in the Winfield Cemetery maintenance and beautification. February 1941, the Kiwanis and Lions presented a town Beautification Project and asked the cooperation of the town. COMMUNITY HOUSE AND SCOUT HOME ALSO COOPERATIVES During the years of the W.P.A., Mrs. R. E. MOORE, Sr. had hoped that in cooperation with the W.P.A., that a Community House could be built near the famous Winfield Spring, in the area back of Grayson HILL's Store, and she had former Mayor Walter CURL had even drawn tentative plans, but because of some change in W.P.A. the plans were not completed. Then in 1939, Mrs. C. M. YATES, who served on the Marion County Welfare Board with Mrs. R. E. MOORE, Sr., told Mrs. MOORE of a possible cooperative plan with W.P.A. to get the proposed building. Mrs. MOORE met with Mayor James McDONALD and the Council on September 4, 1939 and plans were discussed with P.W.A. Authorities. It was agreed that the Town of Winfield would furnish $2820.00 and the government would furnish $3,916.80. Mayor McDONALD and Alderman R. W. HARRIS, Jr. drove to Spruce Pine, Alabama, and agreed to purchase the natural stone from Griffin for $4.25 per ton, and a Mr. HECK contracted to build the building, located on the original City Park property, which now temporarily houses the Winfield Unit of Alabama National Guard until the new Armory is completed. The Lions Club, along with the aid and permission of the Town Council, sponsored the modern building, also located on the City Park property, which is the home of the Winfield Boy Scouts. Plans for this edifice were begun in 1947. On April 19, 1943, the Town governing Body also pledged support of the Winfield Hospital plans which will be related in full in another story. This was one of the really big projects involving all clubs, officials and the town which agreed on April 19, to doante(sic) $500.00 toward construction. MAYOR M. C. HOLLIS, JR. ELECTED SEPT. 20, 1948 Managers for the Town election of 1948 included P. WEBSTER, J. B. BYARS, Willis WARD, R. E. KIRKLAND, Charlie BULL and J. E. SMITH, and Attorney Bob MOORE had been previously appointed to draw up a list of qualified voters. Results of this election brought a new administration including: Mayor M. C. HOLLIS, Jr, who still serves today as Mayor of Winfield; and Councilmen: lbert(sic) HOLT, James T. PERRY, Rayburn WEBSTER, Charles WHEELER and H. H. WEST. The Oath of office was administered on October 4, and Rayburn WEBSTER was appointed clerk and James PERRY, Chairman Pro Tem. Attorney R. E. (Bob) MOORE, Jr. was retained as City Attorney. The police force included J. W. WESTBROOKS, hired at $160 per month, Herman FIELDS later replaced Dalton GARNER at $150; and Johnny STOMPS at $125. Lee GANN and Jack LEDLOW were hired for streets, parks and town duties. E. B. BOLEY was hired as Yuletide police. After meeting with the Board for several assemblies, the Council agreed to appropriate $24,000 within thirty days, and a special tax was levied on all motor vehicles, a one-cent tax on all bottled drinks and a one percent sales tax was passed on February 19, for the purpose of raising the needed funds for the new building cost. Later, an ordinance to impose additional special privilege or license taxes, and excise taxes equalling fifty percent of state sale and use tax, to be used solely for building of the Elementary School. This resolution also authorized the Mayor and Clerk to borrow $40,463 to complete the amount necessary to build the school. Then on May 19, 1952, the town purchased the property and the remaining part of the old school not destroyed by the fire for $15,000 with the understanding that the money be spent for the lunch room, and a labortory(sic) and repairs of the High School of Winfield. then on December 30, 1952, the old Elementary School boiler was sold for $800.00. Plans for the modern school that stands today were drawn out: built out and opened for the first school term in August 1952. OTHER CHANGES November 7, 1950, Earnest MOSS was appointed to the Water Board; R. E. MOORE, Jr., as City Attorney, presented plans and maps recommended to extend the City Limits of Winfield; Rayburn WEBSTER resigned from the City Council and C. W. HUBBERT replace(sic) him, and Albert HOLT was made Clerk; Dalton GARNER replaced J. W. WESTBROOKS as Chief of Police, and Cecil TIDWELL replaced KIVETTE as policeman; M. L. LUCAS replaced James PERRY on the city Council after PERRY resigned; Ivan HILL was appointed Director of the Winfield Water Works Board. 1952 ELECTION ON AUG. 18 T. A. CARNES was manager of the 1952 City Election, and other officials included: Claude CADDELL, returning officer; and Charlie BULL, Hobson REESE, Pervy WEBSTER, inspectors; Jessie WARD and James HILL, clerks. Mayor M. C. HOLLIS, Jr. and Councilmen: A. L. HOLT, Odus SULLIVAN, M. L. LUCAS, C. W. HUBBERT, and Lymon GOOLSBY, who are serving at the present time were elected. J. Frank BURLESON was hired as City Clerk but replaced by Mrs. R. C. SIZEMORE on March 2, 1953. Mrs. SIZEMORE remains as City Clerk, and Dan THOMAS, former Alabama State official, serves as City Auditor. R. E. MOORE Jr., was retained as City Attorney but resigned after he was appointed Circuit Judge of the Thirty-First District. He was replaced by Attorney Earl a. ALFORD, Representative Rankin FITE also served as Advisor to the Council. Other changes brought W. P. JORDAN as night policeman, then later Herman FIELDS and Thelton HOLLIMAN joined the police force; then later Frank WEEKS was also a member of the force. Sim TIDWELL was hired as Cemetery Guardian. In August of 1954, the Police staff included D. T. GARNER as police chief; and Vado KIVETTE and Thelton HOLLIMAN. The present Police Department officials include Chief Thelton HOLLIMAN; Assistant chief, James O. VAUGHN; Patrolmen, Arnold COATES; Hozie SIMMONS; David LEMONS; and David OWEN. City Street and Sanitation Department, Doug LYNN; Water Works Department, Dug REESE; Rescue Squad, Chairman, Beverly HOLLIS, Co-Chairman, Mike GREENE; Fire Chief, Ray WESTBROOKS; Assistant Chief, Audrey RILEY and Laben PERRY fireman. Going back to 1953, other important projects begun under the HOLLIS Administration include the negotiations for getting the Nation Guard Unit here which began February 2, 1953, and at that same time, plans were gotten underway for obtaining ten acres of the Airport Land for a new City Park. Sparked by L. C. JOINER, the Winfield Chamber of Commerce with the cooperation of the Council, all businesses(sic) houses, all civic and social clubs and the entire populace practically, the plans were carried through for the City Swimming Pool which has been enjoyed for the past two summers. On June 29, 1953, L. C. JOINER itemized the expenses of the building of the pool at $9,342.80, and the Council appointed Principals J. S. BRINDLEY and Gordon CRAWFORD, Coach Estes HUDSON and Duke WARREN as Supervisors of the pool and recreation. Other clubs, as revealed in the individual club histories have carried out plans for tennis, and other courts for pastime at the park and barbecue pits have been built at appointed places. Under the Supervision of W. D. HUNT, former Vocational Teacher in Winfield, trees have been transplanted for beautification. It was also during this period that the Town officials working with the Chamber of Commerce, then under the presidency of L. C. JOINER, and other civic groups, weer able to located the Champ Trouser Company on the spot where the old Elementary School stood. Today, Winfield Manufacturing occupies this area. Completely remodeling the part of the old school left after the fire of 1951, the Champ Industry covered almost the entire hill, with the modern wings being added to the original building by the City of Winfield. In September of 1953, Bill COTNEY, Ed Hollis Ivan HILL, R. W. HARRIS, Jr., representatives of the proposed Winfield Livestock Commission, met with the Town Board and negotiated the purchase of the land adjoining the Airport for the building of the present Livestock Sales Barn which has greatly encouraged and raised the market for livestock farmers in this entire section (separate story by Mr. Cotney). Also during this period, the City Limits extension was planned and Winfield Parent Teachers Association members conducted a City Census which was officially tabulated at 3,037 population, making Winfield currently classed as a city instead of a town, Mrs. R. SIZEMORE, City Clerk, stated. Besides the present City Governing Board and Police Department already listed, Sam COUCH, Homer HOOPER, Olen CUNNINGHAM, Parker SPANN, and Billy GILBERT, make up the Winfield School Board. To sum up the story of progress, the words used by W. W. (Bill) COTNEY and Dr. R. L. HILL may well describe best, "Winfield is a wonderful little city filled with a cooperative spirit. When Winfield needs something, the citizens and clubs get behind the project; the city council gets behind the project; everybody gets behind the appointed leaders and WE BUILD toward a bigger and better PROGRESSIVE WINFIELD."