Benefit for Maytown fire dept.

Normally, a convenience store burning down isn’t a big news story. 

But when it’s the only business in a community, the only one producing sales tax revenue… then it’s a huge story.

Folks in the community of Maytown in north Jefferson County are having to pull together to keep their fire department and other services going.

They’re not asking for any government bailout or handout… they’re looking for ways to pay the bills by working together. 

Only the gas pumps and a couple signs are left of the Tri-Cities Convenience Store in Maytown.  Gas was only $2.19 the last day the store was open for business.  Maytown volunteers and fireman from several other communities came that night back in May when the town’s only business went out of business in bright flames that were way too close to large underground gas tanks. 

Today, the only business being done here is at a roadside produce stand next to where the store was.

Ann Goolsby has been mayor of Maytown for a while now. She’s served for 17 years and is in her fourth term.

The folks in Maytown keep electing Ann Goolsby mayor, and now she has to help figure out how to pay the bills, like the payment on the town’s fire truck.

“The fire truck payment is about $6,900 a year, and the sales tax was about equivalent to about $7000 a year, so it balances out,“ Goolsby saud.

The mayor hopes a modern convenience store and maybe a restaurant will be built at the old location, but until then….

“We all believe out here in less government and being very frugal with our money and doing the best we can and make every dollar stretch,” Goolsby said, “and the best way to do that is to go to the community and ask for help, just let ‘em know what your problems are and they’ll come through in the end for you.“

There is a bluegrass group called Cherryholmes. They play on the Grand Ole Opry and they were bluegrass group of the year a few years back. They’re going to do a concert just up the road at Maytown Baptist Church, with the proceeds going to the town and volunteer fire department. 

John Killian is the pastor of Mayton Baptist.

“well, so many of the people involved both on the work end and the help end of the fire department are people of our church and people with whom we minister, and we certainly want to show support, we appreciate the good hard work of the fire department,” Killian said.

I’m told by folks who know music that Cherryholmes is a great group and the lead singer Cia Leigh is called by some the next Allison Krauss.

Getting tickets is as easy as reading a church sign. Cherryholmes will be at Maytown Baptist Church next Monday, August 17th at 7:30 p.m. The easiest way to get tickets is by going to http://www.maytownfiredept.org.

The concert will be in the church fellowship hall and Pastor Killian expects a big crowd.

“People are hurting, Christians should be front in line to help,“ Killian said.