Ellisville city officials are giving a former Jones County Junior College softball coach and student housing director a new lease on life.
On Oct. 1st, Grant Crowder, who was arrested by the Petal Police Department in May and charged with possession of a precursor used to manufacture methamphetamine, began his new job as a member of the Ellisville Fire Department.
In recent weeks Ellisville residents and Jones County Junior College softball fans may have noticed a new, but familiar face in the ranks of Ellisville firefighters.
Crowder, a Richton native, was housing director and softball coach at JCJC until his resignation on May 28. A JCJC graduate and two-year letterman on the JCJC football team, he had just completed his 10th season as the Lady Bobcats head softball coach.
Ellisville Mayor Tim Waldrup, a former JCJC Dean of Students, was working at the college when Crowder was a student. But while he knew Crowder and followed his career at the college, Waldrup noted that Crowder’s hiring had to go through the same procedure as others hired by the city.
“He was recommended by the fire chief and voted on for hire by the Board of Aldermen,” explained Waldrup. “My personal opinion is that everyone makes mistakes.
“I really have no problem with people trying to help themselves — trying to turn their lives around. Everyone is entitled to a second chance, but if you blow it on your second chance, I think you have pretty much had it.”
Waldrup noted that Crowder was hired in late September, but his first day at work was Oct. 1st. “He was hired with the understanding that he is on a long-term probation,” added Waldrup. “He will be periodically tested for drugs and if the tests show positive for illegal drugs, he will be dismissed.”
Ellisville Fire Chief Ronnie McGilberry said Crowder has done an outstanding job since joining the department. Like the mayor, McGilberry said he doesn’t mind giving a person another chance.
“This is not an easy job,” added McGilberry. “I think anyone who is willing to put their life on the line for others is to be commended.
“Surely these firefighters aren’t doing it for the money. We only pay about $19,998 a year.”
The chief added that Crowder has performed better on skills tests than some firefighters who have been with the department for years. McGilberry said that after one of his firefighters backed out of taking the tactical fitness test at the Mississippi Fire Academy, he asked Crowder if he thought he could take the test.
“I didn’t want to lose that spot at the academy,” he explained. “The interesting thing here was that the other guy had gone through training in preparation for the test. Crowder had never done any of it before.
“He completed the test with a minute and 43 seconds to spare,” said McGilberry. “That was a great accomplishment.”
McGilberry said he is not one to tell Crowder he cannot be a firefighter if it’s something he really wants to do. “Sure he’s made some mistakes in life, but everybody has some kind of skeleton in their closet they don’t want anyone to know about.
“If an individual wants to change his life around, I’m all for it,” added McGilberry.
On Oct. 7th, Crowder was among a group of Ellisville Firefighters that visited South Jones Elementary School to talk to students about fire safety. Although Principal Janice Williams said she “knew he had been fired from his job at JCJC,” she didn’t know the circumstances behind his firing.
“The children were very respectful and they were very attentive,” said Williams. “There were at least four different firemen who came to talk to the students about fire safety.
“I’ve had no complaints from parents about the program,” she said. “It was just the firemen coming in and sharing safety information with our students. “
Local News
City of Ellisville willing to give Crowder a second chance
Former JCJC employee arrested for possession of meth now a fireman
- Local News
-
-
Get ready for control burns in the area
Area motorists and residents may notice a lot of smoke coming from some of the county’s heavily wooded areas in the coming weeks.
-
Officials pleased with Chancellor’s appointment
At 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, Lance Chancellor became the new executive director of the Jones County Emergency Management Agency.
-
Heidelberg has a new police chief
A longtime Jasper Countian has been named the head law enforcement official in this Jasper County town.
Huey Powe is now the Police Chief for the Town of Heidelberg. -
Annual Rotary Club Spaghetti dinner Saturday
The Laurel Rotary Club will conduct its annual Spaghetti dinner this weekend at the YWCO.
-
American Red Cross looking for local volunteers
The East Central Mississippi Chapter of the American Red Cross is looking for a few good men, women, boys and girls to join its team of disaster volunteers.
-
Officials put a name with scammer
Jones County officials have now released the name of a man they are seeking in connection with a recent fire scam in the area.
-
Family barely escapes mobile home fire
In the early morning hours of Tuesday, a family of five was awaken by the smell of smoke quickly filling their 28 x 70 doublewide mobile home located at 39 Ellisville Junction Road in Jones County.
-
Farewell and Hello
Well-wishers from near and far gathered in Laurel to say farewell to longtime Jones County Emergency Management Executive Director Don McKinnon, while his replacement — a familiar face among emergency officials — was welcomed earlier in the day Tuesday.
-
Cobb’s bond set at $250K
A $250,000 cash bond has been set for a 19-year-old Jones County man jailed at the Jones County Adult Detention Center in connection with a vicious attack on a woman in the Sharon Community.
-
Laurel man has given over 33 gallons of blood
Local residents gave blood Tuesday at Laurel City Hall as a part of the City of Laurel’s blood drive.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Killer of Fla. Girl Found in Landfill Gets Life
Army Orders Bradley Manning Court-martial
Cancer Charity Revives Breast-screening Grants
Heavy Snowstorm Hits Colorado On Its Way East
2nd Teacher From LA School Arrested on Sex Claim
Prosecutors Close Armstrong Inquiry, No Charges
Sights and Sounds: Football Fans Pour Into Indy
Unemployment Rate Down to 8.3%
Obama: Still Far Too Many Americans Need Jobs
GOP: Jobs Numbers Welcome, Can Do Better
Fla. Man Adopts Girlfriend in Legal Battle
More Deaths As Egypt Clashes Continue
Raw Video: Prince William in Falklands
Egpyt Protesters Blame Police for Soccer Deaths
'Lucky' 9-Year-Old Receives 6-Organ Transplant
Raw Video: Michelle Vs. Ellen in Pushup Contest
First Person: Will Peyton Manning Stay in Indy?
Egypt Shaken After Deadly Soccer Riot
New Suits, New Starts for New York's Unemployed
Hall of Famer Dorsett Speaks Out on NFL Injuries
