After Tuesday’s snowstorm, Leeds Police Department asked that vehicles that posed danger to passing traffic be moved out of the roadway. While the police department assured the Leeds citizens that the city was not getting money for the towing, citizens expressed outrage at the fee received from the towing agency.

On Wednesday, Jan 29. The Leeds Alabama Police Department released a statement on Facebook.

“The Leeds Police Dept. is only towing vehicles that pose a danger to passing traffic. This is our normal policy. LPD does not charge for a tow,” they said. “The charge is from the agency towing the vehicle. Also, we do not tow off of private property.” Over 200 comments were left in response to this post. Most expressed outrage at the situation, and several noted that this action would be remembered come election time.

Leeds mayor, David Miller, quickly responded to these comments on several media outlets such as AL.com and Fox6 News. According to Miller, the city could not pay for the towing services because of a state law. He said that the city had no choice but to move the cars for safety reasons and to reach hundreds of people stranded on I-20, and there was nowhere to move the vehicles but the towing lots.

Even after Miller’s explanation for the towing and charges, citizens remained unsatisfied. Miller later contacted Governor Bentley and explained the difficult decision. Miller released another press release on the LPD Facebook after all the negative responses:

“During the Leeds City Council Meeting, on Monday February 3, Mayor David Miller will recommend to the Leeds City Council the approval and ratification of actions taken by the City during the recent winter storm emergency.

Specifically, the Mayor will seek ratification of his actions to approve the City’s payment of towing costs related to the removal of vehicles from the public rights-of-way, as authorized by the City officials for the sake of public safety, which also aided in the transport of more than 300 people to various public and private sheltering locations within the City.

The Mayor considers the City and its citizens to have been in a time of crisis, which justifies the payment of related costs incurred for the sake of public safety. Removal of cars from the access road to the shelters was an unavoidable emergency action and any inconvenience to owners of those vehicles is deeply regretted.

Any owner whose car was towed as a result of city direction may pick up their vehicle at Ryan’s Automotive or Murray’s Garage in downtown Leeds without cost. Any persons who have already paid the towing fee and picked up their vehicle will be reimbursed.

Mayor David Miller addressed the issues surrounding the towing done by Murray’s Garage and Ryan’s Automotive that took place during last week’s winter weather storm.

Providing answers to numerous questions, Mayor Miller responded to the naysayers and thanked those who helped make this situation manageable.

“People have asked ‘why impound?’ This was not a decision made by the city. It’s standard towing practice for many reasons, but it protects cars from vandalism and prevents wrecks,” said Miller. “Another question was ‘why not move the cars to the side of the road’? That’s a great idea when you can do it. Scott City Hill, off exit 140, had people trapped at the bottom of the hill. We had to get those people to safety. There’s a big ditch on one side and a ravine on the other side. We made a decision that rescued 300 plus people by clearing the roads.”

Replying to comments that the city receives money from the towing companies, Miller replied, “The city gets zero revenue from this.”

Not exempt from the wreckage themselves, the city as well as the towing companies received damage to their vehicles.

“Two city vehicles have damages to the tune of $5,000,” said Miller. “Murray’s truck slid into a pick up truck and Ryan’s wrecker was vandalized. Corrosive liquid was placed into their big diesel and has received $10,000 in damages.”

Thanking the police and fire departments for their assistance in getting stranded motorists to warming stations, clearing the roadways and going above and beyond in a situation no one had ever experienced or anticipated.

Applauding the efforts of one officer, Miller relayed this story, “Sergeant Jeff Loebler (with Leeds Police Department) got in the Humvee was able to locate a child who recently had a bone marrow transplant and get him home in order for him to take the medication he needed.”

The mayor asked that the council ratify emergency actions that were taken in order to quickly reimburse those who were towed.

“The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) will cover the costs of the 37 cars towed,” said Miller. “ALDOT director John Cooper was very pleased with how Leeds cleared the parkway and as a result of our timely action ALDOT said they’d pay the charges.”

Miller added, “We’re delighted.”

The mayor, council and city officials will come together for an After Action Review to access what was done correctly and what can be done better in the event that other situations such as this occur.

“We’re happy to receive constructive criticism,” said Miller. “I emphasize the word constructive.”

Thanking Leeds First United Methodist Church for their generosity in opening their Family Life Center as a warming station, along with Cedar Grove Baptist Church (the churches assisted with overflow from Leeds Civic Center, which was also a warming station), Miller said these folks worked efficiently to provide food and warmth for those affected by this snow/ice storm.

Extending his gratitude to Senator Slade Blackwell and Leeds’ state representative Dickie Drake for working on a way for individuals to overcome the towing costs, Miller thanks them for their diligence in finding a way to cover the costs.

To the known and unknown Leeds citizens who helped people to safety by getting them home, providing them with food and warm, Miller said he along with the city thank them.

Operating on the motto, “Every voice will be heard,” Miller opened the floor to public comment.

The only negative commentary came from Clanton resident Jimmy Cleckler who was towed.

“I’m diabetic and had to sit on I-20 for 15 hours looking at the Cracker Barrel sign. I couldn’t have Cracker Barrel because I was stuck,” Cleckler said.

Complaining that his truck had been towed only 20 minutes after he parked it (in order to get something to level out his blood sugar) Cleckler said people should have been made aware.

Citing Facebook as his source, he asked Miller if he knew what the people on Facebook wanted, to that Miller waited for Cleckler to tell him. With that, Cleckler said, “Your resignation.”

Several citizens stepped up in support of the mayor and said those on Facebook should have been at the meeting.

“I do live in this city and appreciate what you do,” said Deanna Frankowski. “People need to be prepared and quit blaming other people.”

Another concerned citizen called Leeds the best little town in the world.

“I wished everyone on Facebook were here tonight. I’ve known David Miller a long time. He and this council are fine people. I’m proud to be a citizen of Leeds. People need to calm down and get the facts,” he said. “This city did what it saw best by the majority by bringing them heat, a warm meal and home.”

Lee Barnes commended the mayor, council and school system for doing a wonderful job.

“They did what they had to do and (looking at superintendent John J. Moore) I’m glad you’re watching over my 10-year-old grandson.”

To the mayor and council Barnes said, “I appreciate the planning y’all did. I saw more good in this hard time than I have in 40 years. I’m glad to be from Leeds, Alabama and a part of this community.”

Other items approved and discussed:

* Leeds Downtown Redevelopment Authority has been assembled with its charter members being Tim Jennings, Dr. Carl Marbury, Pat Hall, Brad Poole, Sam Pizzilo, Beth Campbell and Laura Barnes.

“This committee will make much needed improvements to our downtown area,” said Miller. “This is a landmark thing for our city.”

*Two properties in the Southern Trace Subdivision had not but annexed into the City of Leeds, but all surrounding property had. The council approved residences 689 and 830 on Southern Trace Parkway to be annexed into the City of Leeds.

*Ordinance 2014-02-03 was adopted in order to change the Truck Route from 7th Street back to 6th Street.

“Seventh Street is not built for truck traffic Sixth Street was and LeHigh Hanson offered to provide the concrete at no charge,” said Miller. “This will be a major improvement to our city.”