At the Dec. 16, City of Hinesville Council meeting three city firefighters were given the Medal of Valor for saving the life of a man who was trapped in his burning truck on Nov. 19.
Firefighter Capt. Graham Martin, Jeffrey Long and Adam Ziter arrived at the scene of an accident on Airport Road where a man driving a truck had collided with two school buses, hitting one headon. The man’s truck cabin caught on fire and the three firefighters were on scene within three minutes, extinguishing the fire and getting the man out of the truck. The man sustained burns and was flown to the Augusta Burn Center. The three men are credited with saving the man’s life.
Also honored were five officers and firefighters who received Letters of Commendation from Hinesville Police Chief Lloyd Slater.
Firefighters Arthur Kearney, Nicolas Maxwell and Daniel Hamilton along with Police Corporal Michael Ramirez and Police Officer Matthew Hoffman received the letters for their actions on Nov. 6, 2021. The men were dispatched to a twocar accident involving multiple injuries. While Officer Hoffman was on the scene conducting an investigation, a group of individuals related to one of the teens involved in the accident arrived on the scene, demanding Hoffman release the teen to their custody. As the teen’s mother became more vocal, the crowd became more hostile and unwilling to comply with the officer’s instructions to step back. Instead of obeying this lawful order, the group attacked Officer Hoffman and, while he was on the ground, delivered several punches and kicks to Officer Hoffman’s upper body and head. Once Firefighters Kearney, Maxwell and Corporal Ramirez noticed the attack, they immediately ran into the crowd, at risk to their own personal safety, and began pushing the mob back and away from Officer Hoffman. At the same time, Firefighter Hamilton caught the crowd’s attention by blasting the airhorn and driving the fire truck in a position between the police officer and the assailants. This allowed Officer Hoffman time to get on his feet and regain his composure until additional city, county, and state law enforcement officers could arrive.
“I commend you for your outstanding acts of courage during this brutal attack,” Slater said. “The outcome of this incident could have been worse if it had not been for your quick response, insomuch as the officer could have sustained more severe injuries or could have drawn his gun in self-defense. For this, it is my great pleasure to present you with this Letter of Commendation for going above and beyond your assigned duties. Your actions bring credit to you and your departments. Given under my hand in the City of Hinesville, Georgia on this 16th day of December 2021.”
City Financial Officer Kimberly Ryon gave an update on the American Rescue Plan funds used for emergency mortgage, rent and utilities. She said the City conducted an audit as a result of recent language used at the prior meeting, specifically the word embezzlement used by City Manager Kenneth Howard. She said the audit found only one error, an invoice which was paid twice, but otherwise all funds were found to be properly disbursed. These are the funds City Councilwoman Diana Reid had requested to review due to funds being depleted at a rapid rate. Ryon said those funds will be audited again because they are federal funds and are required by law to undergo several audits.
Reid said she never mentioned any type of misappropriation of funds, she merely wanted to review the records. Ryon said when she heard the word embezzlement at the last meeting it was her duty to have the audit and make sure controls are in place.
The Mayor and Council appointed Keith Jenkins as their new Mayor Pro-Tempore under the newly amended ordinance for a two-year term. They approved the newly drawn five district maps as presented in the previous meetings by Attorney Jimmy McDonald. The Mayor and Council approved the purchase of two pickup trucks for the fire department from J. C. Lewis Ford at a cost of $62,000.00. Mayor and Council held a public hearing to allow the public the opportunity to provide input on the consideration of an application for a business license applied for by Sheila Eichhorn to operate Hinesville Day Spa, located at 951 Elma G Miles Parkway. The Day Spa has been in the county for the past 19 years. The property on which the spa is located was annexed into the City of Hinesville on Nov. 1. Therefore, a City of Hinesville business license must be issued, requiring the public hearing. Eichhorn spoke to the Mayor and Council requesting they updated their ordinance to remove the word “parlor,” and replace it with “Therapeutic clinic” and not have her listed under adult entertainment.