Aware that the consistent growth and development in the Ardmore area is bringing in more residents and expanding the need for vital city services, City of Ardmore, TN Mayor Bobby Hastings has announced that he is actively pursuing the location of a Medi-Vac helicopter pad in the city.

Hastings’ announcement came at the scheduled meeting of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, held last Thursday night.

“I think it is in the best interest of the citizens of Ardmore to have state-of-the-art medical emergency service,” said Hastings. “I am currently pursuing a grant that would allow us to locate a Medi-Vac helicopter pad in the city.”

Hastings went on to say that he envisioned having a concrete pad, placed in a central location, that would be lit at night and allow for easy access by helicopter. The mayor added that under current conditions medical evacuation helicopters often have to land in cow pastures, fields or at other unsuitable sites that necessitate critically ill patients being transported by stretcher over long distances.

“I am informed that in a medical emergency, if you save a few minutes you can save a lot of lives,” said Hastings. “Police and EMS personnel need a central location where they can take patients to. If we can save five, ten or fifteen minutes, we can save a lot of lives.”

The Board of Aldermen all agreed that the location of a helicopter pad in the city for medical emergencies was a critical issue and urged the mayor to continue with his efforts.

In other business, the board passed two new ordinances related to dogs. In one ordinance, Pit Bull dogs were prohibited in the city. A second ordinance dealt with the issue of vicious dogs.

In another matter, Alderman Garon Hargrove informed the board that the balance of the Tennessee/Alabama Recreation Fund was down to $31.74. Hargrove went on to remind the board that each year the City of Ardmore, TN and the Town of Ardmore, AL each contribute $500 to the fund.

“We donate money to the Senior Center on the Alabama side and they donate money to the library,” said Hargrove. “All this amounts to is swapping dollars and I think that in order to streamline the paperwork, we should make a change. In terms of the parks, for example, I think we ought to take care of our park and they ought to take care of theirs.”

The board went on to discuss areas where both governments donate money each year such as the library, senior center, and the two parks.

“I don’t think they (the Alabama side) should have to donate money to the library,” said Hargrove. “The library is controlled by the Tennessee side and it just isn’t fair that they have to contribute. They can still use it, just like we can use things on the Alabama side. But, if we don’t ask them to donate to things on our side, or us to things on their side, it will cut down on the bookwork and make things more simple.”

After further discussion, Mayor Hastings reminded all those present that any changes in the way the recreation fund, the library, and other joint projects would need to be brought before the Joint Council.

In a final matter, the board voted unanimously to purchase three 4x8 “Welcome to Ardmore” signs.

Area residents are advised that the meeting time of the next session of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen has been changed. Due to elections in Giles County, the board will meet at 6:30 PM on Thursday, August 10, rather than on August 3.