My Story
In 2015, I had a fire at my home that resulted in a major loss. It wasn’t a kitchen fire or a one room fire. The entire house was destroyed. I had a decision to stay or leave and chose to rebuild. My house was completely gutted from the ground to the roof. Now, there is a fire station at the top of my street. I pass it everyday coming home. It’s about 1/5th of a mile from my house, walking distance. For my fire, this station did not come to my house. It’s a Clayton County fire station. I had to wait for Riverdale to send a fire truck to me.
The most important decision I was to face as an elected official came about in 2024 with the proposal to merge the Riverdale Fire Department with that of our County. With this merger, we would have access to more services than we currently offered, more equipment, more personnel AND the closest station/truck/EMS will be able to come to the rescue when there is a need.
For me, it was about saving lives first and saving homes second. I made the motion to merge the two government agencies. I still stand by this decision. I believe with every breath in my body that this is the reason God called me to this office. As confirmation, less than two weeks after this vote, April 25th, I was driving down my street going home. On the way (again on my street,) I passed a Clayton County fire truck and ambulance at a neighbor’s house.
No sirens or lights were on, so I assumed the emergency was under control but it still struck me that this is what we just voted for and it touched my heart. I proceeded to drive to my house. I backed up into the driveway as I normally do, but stayed at the foot of the driveway/street, resonating on what I just witnessed. I was praising God for what I just saw. All of a sudden, while sitting in my jeep praising, a City of Riverdale fire truck strolled down the street right in front of me. No lights or sirens were on, as the emergency was now under control and they were no longer needed. THE CLOSEST source of help was able to get to my neighbor. PRAISE GOD!!
I looked at this as a sign from God and confirmation that I had done the right thing, and this is what I was called here to do. If I were 15 minutes earlier or later, I may have missed what I just witnessed. If I were laying on the couch watching TV, I would not have seen the fire truck drive by my house. How many times do you go outside and see a fire truck rolling down the street? I was placed in the right place at the right time to get this confirmation from God: Girl, you did the right thing and you know I got you!!
