VILLAGE REPAYS A DEBT, HELPS OUT A COMMUNITY 

Emergency Siren Makes Its Way to Jonesboro, Georgia

The City of Jonesboro, Georgia received a gift for its residents from the Village of Addison, Illinois in a true example of "what goes around, comes around."

Located 20 miles south of Atlanta, the community of less than 4,000 people had never been equipped with emergency sirens to warn residents of approaching tornadoes, and did not have the financial resources to purchase one in the near future.

Meanwhile, the Village of Addison replaced its four emergency sirens, and those still in working condition were being offered for sale in municipal publications and internet bulletin boards. Ed Wise, Neighborhood Watch Coordinator for the City of Jonesboro contacted the Village of Addison last fall, inquiring about the cost of purchasing one of the used sirens.

"When we discovered that their community was doing without a siren up until this point, we wanted to see to it that one of our sirens made its way to Jonesboro," said Village Manager Joe Block, who approved a donation of the siren. "Communities need to help each other out, no matter if they are neighbors, or several states apart."

This is a lesson Addison learned in 1987. When devastating floods robbed many residents of all they owned, there was a huge outpouring of donations from other communities.

"We remember what it's like to be in need, and have another community come to our aid," Block said. "The town of Addison, Texas 'adopted' our community, and helped us in ways that we could never repay. By helping out Jonesboro, we feel we are finally able to pay back part of that debt."

Several residents in Jonesboro donated their time to restore the siren, which was to be installed by year's end.

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