By Scott Mims

Clerks in Jemison City Hall are working long hours this week to restore six months of data lost during a Christmas Eve lightning strike.
Mayor Eddie Reed said lighting struck a transformer in front of City Hall on the night of Dec. 24, causing damage to the computer system. Also, the backup system did not work properly, resulting in the loss of court records and other information from June through December.
Assistant City Clerk Crystal Smith and Court Magistrate Tammy Miller are working to re-enter the information in the absence of City Clerk Mary Ellison, whose husband has been ill.
Reed said new data cannot be entered into the system until they are caught up.
“We owe them a great deal of gratitude and thanks,” he said of Smith and Miller. “They have been working to get the said information up to code.”
Reed believes the city’s insurance company will cover the damage. The city is working to establish an off-site backup system for protection during future incidents.
City customers may still take their water bills to City Hall, Reed added.
“We are fortunate we didn’t lose all the information,” he said during Monday night’s council meeting.
In other business, Brian Pate of Insight Engineers made a presentation to the city council. The city is currently seeking an engineering firm to assist in areas such as drainage and wastewater treatment. No decision was made Monday night.
Also, the council reminds citizens of the upcoming wet/dry vote set for Tuesday, Jan. 12 at the Jemison Fire Station. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The fire station is located at 191 Main St in Jemison.
Depending on the results, the vote could potentially legalize the sale of alcoholic beverages in Jemison corporate limits.