TO HONOR AND REMEMBER – Donna Carlton shows off the medals her brother Danny received during his service. Danny was killed in Vietnam.

Only two days before Veteran’s Day, a woman on a mission expressed her desire before the Greenfield Board of Mayor and Aldermen to have her brother’s sacrifice honored.
Donna Carlton’s relatives fought in every major war, but her brother Danny, a decorated soldier who was killed in the Vietnam War, was the first Weakley County casualty and the last of the Carltons. Dedicated to preserving the memory of her brother, Carlton requested that the board take action in renaming Hwy. 45 the Danny E. Carlton Memorial Highway.
Carrying numerous telegrams, pictures, medals, stories from his time in Korea and Vietnam and a flag that she claimed only she and her mother had touched, Carlton shared memories of her brother with board members.
“Danny graduated from high school in 1963. He was not drafted. Mom and dad would not sign for him to go. He waited and went through 12 weeks of training in Louisiana,” Carlton explained. “I promised my mom I would wait 10 years for this and it’s been 11. I will go from here to D.C. if I have to.”
Going straight from basic training to Korea, Carlton’s brother was brought home to see his father just 20 minutes before his father died.
“He (Danny) was my everything,” Carlton continued. “His last words to me on the phone were, ‘Baby girl, don’t you worry. I’ll be home to take care of you.”
As Carlton continued, Mayor Eddie Joe McKelvy assured her, “No one in this room takes for granted what your brother and others have done. Our hearts go out to you. We agree with you.”
Alderman Paul Richmond added, “With due respect, a few of us have gone through this ourselves. A lot of us have served as well.”
City Recorded Randy Potts promised to look into the matter to see what can possibly be done.
“I’m not going to give up. I’ve hauled this around 45 years. I want something done for my brother,” Carlton concluded.
In earlier business, the board officially swore in the mayor and aldermen.
“Congrats to the race winners,” McKelvy commented. “We’re doing something right, hopefully.”
In two more years, four more aldermen seats will open for the running.
As the top vote-getter in the election, newcomer John Liggett was unanimously elected vice mayor.
In employee’s reports, K.K. Robinson, standing in for Fire Chief Bob Dudley, remarked that the AFG grant had been denied, but the grant for the fire truck is still a possibility.
Engine Two has a water leak and may need welding and an engine check. The cost, which ranges from $500-$3,000 falls within the budget.
Public Works Director Tony Stout requested and was granted permission to build a retainer wall around a pipe near property owned by Pete Dunning. The project, which will eliminate a hazardous free-flowing area could cost between $960-$980 to complete.
Library Director Sandy Dowland reported that the USDA Rural Development grant has been approved and is coming soon. There is already a waiting list of people for computer classes.
Due to the Reelfoot Regional Library’s reorganization, “We’ll lose some services. That’s what it boils down to,” Dowland admitted.
Potts was granted permission to attempt to take bids on three computers. The computers will be set up at the Greenfield City Hall and written bids can be submitted. The board normally sells the computers as surplus at $10 a skid.
In an ongoing issue, the board agreed to take action on the Stark building. Potts reported that Robert Stark had agreed to sell the building, but admitted to being in the middle of a lawsuit. His lawyer will argue that the plaintiff violated the time parameters of the Failure to Prosecute Law, however, and if the case is dismissed, the city will purchase the building for $18,500 plus less than $400 in back taxes and will then decide what to do with the building as it could become hazardous.
Rounding out business, the board voted to approve the updated Cross Connection ordinance on its third and final reading and public hearing.
Potts reported that, after having attended a meeting at Parker-Hannifin updating the community on the economic status, he saw nothing but positives from the business.
“It was a good meeting. They were upbeat about the success. Ronnie Price echoed the good job they are doing. They’re doing lots of things others in the industry are not doing. Their earnings are at 350 percent versus the first quarter of last year. They’re thinking outside of the box. They’re doing very well and are able to do more now with fewer employees than they did last year with more,” Potts commented.
In announcements, Potts has sent a letter to the director of schools, school board members and other authorities asking for land to be donated for tennis courts. He is in the process of getting costs together.
The board will hold a planning session at 8:30 p.m. on Nov. 17 and board members are encouraged to “bring your ideas to the meeting” as McKelvy expressed hope in “putting things up that people can see.” 

WCP 11.11.10