The saying goes, you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone. But when you do know what you’ve got before it’s gone , it’s a testament to this man’s character and hard work ethic.
Eddie Ivy. Where do I even start?
This man, without a doubt, is one of the hardest working people I know. I know that because I’ve witnessed it for many years. My job at the Tribune ties in with that position, and we rely heavily on all sorts of information from that office on a weekly, sometimes daily basis.
For the last 12 years, Eddie has been our Emergency Management Director. He is one of the most loyal, dedicated, and well-respected men in this county. Not only does everyone here know who Eddie Ivy is when his name is mentioned, but it seems statewide as well. I’ve always noticed when bad weather is predicted to come in, he’s the first one WTOK calls for information or a statement. I usually get a little jealous because he belongs to us, not Lauderdale County, lol.
Many nights I’ve been in the office working late, even a time or two at 2 a.m., he’d stop by just leaving his office to see if I was ok. We’d both be so tired we could hardly drive ourselves home. I get a text every once in a while just to say hey, you do a great job and keep your chin up. He don’t have to do things like that, but he does, because he cares.
Several years ago, I rode with him the day one of our fallen soldiers, Terry Gordon, was buried. He had coordinated the whole day of community funeral services and made sure things went off without a hitch so the family did not have to worry about anything. I sat and watched the whole event and how he had every corner covered, and if something was going wrong, he was on the radio finding a solution, or either doing it himself. It was a site to witness.
I’ve seen him many times take action in his job, but I’ve also seen a lot of the things he does behind the scenes that people don’t see in the public eye: things he’s done to help others when there was no other help. That to me is what makes a man. He did all of this with heart and not for recognition. Just the kind of guy he is.
I’ve also seen how the board of supervisors have treated him this last year as well. I’ve witnessed it several times in the board meetings that are open to the public. The times they have raked him over the coals over minor things in front of a crowded room, Eddie took it like a champ. It was always yes sir, no sir. He never came back at them. I know he’s not perfect; none of us are. We all make mistakes. I do every day. But this last year, I certainly saw a lack of empathy and appreciation for the load Eddie actually carried on his shoulders, mostly by himself or with unpaid volunteers. There are so many parts to his job that the public doesn’t see; the reports, the phone calls, the meetings, and so on, and the position certainly doesn’t pay what he’s worth.
It was also evident to the fire department and emergency management volunteers, and law enforcement how Eddie was treated, and they stood up for him back in January. If you remember, Don Moore spoke to the board on behalf of the vfd members and community who packed the courtroom in support of Eddie and the inhumane treatment. After that, the board did realize that Eddie needed help and hired him a deputy director because it was unfair for one person to carry such a load.
Anyway, whoever the county finds to fill that position will have mighty big shoes to fill. It was a mistake to let him get away, and it will be felt!
Eddie, I have the utmost respect and admiration for you. You will be truly missed in your position as director for this county. I am honored to call you my friend.
