Valley Haven School recognized by Lanett City Council
BY JOHN BRICE
THE LAFAYETTE SUN
LANETT — Valley Haven School supporter Eddie Lanier accepted a proclamation for their 50th Annual Hike-Bike-Run event at the Lanett City Council meeting on Tuesday, April 7. Council Member for District 2 Krisse Story read the proclamation.
“Whereas Valley Haven School provides a valuable service to our area individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. And whereas the whole community combines efforts each year to support the Hike-Bike-Run for the Valley Haven School. And whereas the Annual Hike-Bike-Run is the most important fundraising event for the Valley Haven School each year. And whereas this is the 50th Annual Hike-Bike-Run to be held on Saturday, May 2. Therefore we hereby proclaim the week of April 26 through May 2, 2026, as Hike-Bike-Run Week in the city of Lanett and we call upon all citizens of our city to join with thousands of other individuals in generously helping to provide the funds for support to our Valley Haven School.”
Following the proclamation being read, Lanier expressed his appreciation for the city’s support.
“It is amazing that this has been going on for 50 years,” he said. “For a school like ours that helps people with special needs, we depend on government funds. It is really critical for us to operate. In order to get the funds that we need we have to raise a certain percentage locally. Hike-Bike-Run has been our mechanism, and especially the city of Lanett have been so gracious and so generous in their support. We greatly appreciate it.”
An award was presented by David Rauch of the American Red Cross to Lanett Police Department Officer Cody Bolt, recognizing him for saving the life of a citizen.
“Today is about briefly pausing to recognize an extraordinary moment where quick thinking and decisive action made all of the difference,” Rauch said.
Rauch said Bolt’s quick thinking and action saved a life two years ago when he responded to a tragic scene.
“On Oct. 17, 2024, officers were called to a private residence here in Lanett in response to a shooting,” he said. “When Officer Cody Bolt arrived on scene he encountered a 17 year old male who had suffered a gunshot wound to the femoral artery. A severe and life threatening injury that causes rapid blood loss. Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, Officer Bolt acted immediately before EMS arrived. He applied a tourniquet to control the bleeding, a decisive step that stabilized the victim and prevented further blood loss. Because of that quick action the victim survived long enough to be transported to a hospital in Columbus, Georgia, and was later airlifted to Grady Hospital in Atlanta for advanced trauma care. The young man survived and has since been released from the hospital with doctors expecting a full recovery. Quite simply, the actions taken that night at the scene helped save a life.”
In other business
• Lanett resident Craig Allen recounted his harrowing experience of being attacked by an unleashed dog before the council and expressed his dissatisfaction regarding the response by animal control and city officials whom he contacted regarding the incident.
• Chambers County Commissioner Debra Riley addressed the council to personally present them with an official invitation to the annual Chambers County Leadership and Government Institute event on April 23.
• Resolution 04-26-01 for the solid waste collection and disposal agreement with Amwaste of Georgia, LLC was approved.
• Resolution 04-26-02 for the identification agreement with CCDA for Juneteenth was approved.
• Resolution 04-26-03 for the contract for professional services with Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood for the Apron Expansion Project was approved.
• Resolution 04-26-04 for a refueler lease agreement with Perry Brothers Aviation Fuels, LLC was tabled.
