RUSSELLVILLE - When Jimmy Montgomery and the Russellville City Council approved a $159,000 expense 20 years ago to purchase eight emergency weather system sirens, more than a few eyebrows were raised.
As the past two decades have shown, though, Montgomery and his fellow councilmen made an investment in their community in the form of a means of communication to residents in times of emergency.
Leaders in Franklin County soon followed, and more than 30 sirens were installed across the county. It was that kind of community-minded care and concern that led to Montgomery being named 2015 Franklin County Citizen of the Year at Monday's annual Franklin County Farm-City Banquet.
“After we bought those first eight sirens, the county started picking up from there," Montgomery said. "Those eight sirens in Russellville paid off. We've not lost one life in the city from a weather-related emergency."
The banquet is held each year as the headlining activity of Farm-City Week, the idea for which came from two men on a train in 1955.
Charles Dana Bennett, a Vermont entrepreneur, was seated alongside Merle H. Tucker, the 1955 Kiwanis International Agriculture and Conservation Committee chairman, on a train ride from Chicago to Washington, D.C.They discussed the image of agriculture, the strong urban influence of agricultural policies and the growing American population with no ties to the farm.
Their plan? A way to improve relations between farm and city dwellers in the form of an annual week to bring the two together.
The local banquet recognizes the accomplishments of Franklin County farming families along with individuals with distinguished community service. The event is coordinated by the Franklin County Extension System and the Farm-City Planning Committee. Franklin County's 2014 banquet was honored as Farm-City Banquet of the Year in Alabama.
Montgomery thanked his wife Sandy as well as his fellow Russellville Civitan Club members for nominating him.
A Vietnam veteran, Montgomery served in the U.S. Air Force from 1967-71. He is a member of the Civitan, Franklin County Shriners, and a founding organizer of the Franklin County Relay for Life, Franklin County's largest annual charity event.
“I'm just one of many when it comes to the Relay for Life. That event takes teamwork to pull off,” Montgomery said. “And there are many people who have a hand in that event each year.”
A cancer survivor himself, Montgomery has strong emotions when it comes to the American Cancer Society.
During Montgomery's tenure on the Russellville city council, the city approved funds to launch the building of the A.W. Todd Centre, which hosted Monday's event.
Always the philanthropist, Montgomery took the opportunity to put in a plug for the Russellville Civitan.
“Civitan is a great organization, and we are taking new members," he said. "All you have to do is come to Two Fat Sisters Restaurant Tuesdays at noon. We'd love to meet you and have you as our guest."
