Tracy Packer Appointed New Assistant Fire Chief For Cave Spring
By RNW Staff Writer Dawn Treglown
The Cave Spring City Council promoted one of its finest Tuesday night when the council appointed volunteer firefighter Tracy Packer to the position of assistant fire chief.
Former Assistant Fire Chief Loyd Watkins resigned last month after having served 14 years of dedicated service with the Cave Spring Fire Department. He said he wanted to enjoy more time with his family.
Packer was recommended for the job by Cave Spring Public Service Director Randy Lacey.
“We do things a bit different around here,” said Watkins. “Over at the fire department, we all vote on who we think would make a good assistant fire chief. Then that name is handed to the public service director, who can choose to accept the recommenation or not.”
Lacey approved with the fire department’s decision and placed it before the board.
Packer was voted in unanimously by the city council.
Before Watkins relinquished his post, Cave Spring City Counsilman Tony McIntosh read a resolution commending Watkins for loyal and dedicated service to Cave Spring and its people.
The resolution was to be signed by the members of the council and presented to Watkins.
Mayor Rob Ware was ill and did not attend the council Tuesday night. However, Mayor Pro-Temp Kenneth Kelley performed Ware’s duties for the night.
Cave Spring City Attorney Gene Richardson also applauded Watkins, saying he helped him during a medical crisis 14 years earlier, when he had collapsed and no one could help him up.
“I will be forever grateful to him,” he said fondly.
Watkins had only nice things to say about Packer.
“I think Tracy is more than qualified for the job. I think he will do a wonderful job,” he said.
Watkins also plans to remain as a firefighter with the volunteer Cave Spring Fire Department.
“I look forward to working with him and for him any time he needs me,” Watkins said of Packer.
Lacey said he was also pleased with the appointment of Packer.
“He is very well qualified for the job, and he is a great asset to the fire department,” he said.
In Cave Spring’s Fire Department, the public service director and the assistant fire chief are paying positions. All other firefighters are there as volunteers.
When asked if the money was incentive for the position, Packer replied, “Oh, I’m not down here for the money.”
Packer said he enjoys what he does for the city’s fire department and is looking forward to helping under his new position.
In other business, the Cave Spring City Council:
Heard a report on the Pinhoti Trail, in which it was pointed out that the possibility exists that the link to the Silver Comet Trail from Rome could run through Cave Spring. Cave Spring is also the centerpoint of the Pinhoti Trail.
Appointed Tracy Bennett and Rip Montgomery to the Cave Spring Downtown Development Board (DDA). The two will fill the seats formerly held by Don Powell and Paulette Harbin. The DDA was founded two years ago, and this was the organization’s first appointments.
The Cave Spring City Council approved a work session for Wednesday, Feb. 25 and will meet in regular council again on Tuesday, March 10, at 6 p.m. at Cave Spring City Hall.
