Editor’s note: Below is the second part of a four part series looking back at the top news stories of 2014. This installment covers March through May. Look for the third installment in the Jan. 2 edition.

Apartment fire deemed accidental

A fire March 4 consumed a Clanton apartment building.

Building 6B at Rolling Oaks Apartments in Clanton was destroyed by the blaze.

No serious injuries were reported on the scene.

Chilton County 911 dispatched the call at 4:51 p.m., and the fire was reported as being under control at 6:20 p.m.

Clanton Fire Department Chief David Driver said there was little firefighters could do to save the building.

“It was already blowing out both ends of the breezeway by the time we got here,” Driver said.

The building contained eight apartment units, all of which looked to have been completely lost.

Nine people were left to wonder where they would sleep and what they would wear, among other concerns, after the fire destroyed the Clanton apartment building.

Driver said the blaze that claimed Building 6B at Rolling Oaks Apartments was ruled accidental after an investigation by Clanton Fire Marshal Cameron Bates and a deputy state fire marshal, but it was little consolation to those who lost their homes and belongings.

Jerry Wilkins, manager of the apartment complex located at 700 8th St. N., said none of the residents held renter’s insurance policies that he knew of.

“People who ran out of their apartments without shoes, they don’t have shoes anymore,” Wilkins said.

One non-life threatening injury was reported on the scene, as a resident was hurt while jumping from his second-floor balcony to escape the flames. The victim was treated and released on the scene.

Mentor to many

Mike Robertson had a way with people.

As the former director of the Chilton County Chamber of Commerce, Robertson could give you an assignment, and you’d almost feel the need to thank him for it.

But he was no taskmaster. Robertson’s focus was always the good of the Chamber, and by extension, the community in general.

His focus was certainly never himself. After another successful Peach Jam, or whatever other effort he helped organize, Robertson made sure you knew how good of a job you did, and how important your job was to the success of the event.

Even when Robertson didn’t need something from you, he was always willing to give of himself, whether it be advice or help with a problem. And he had a sense of humor that made everyone around him at ease.

Those qualities and many more allowed Robertson to have two successful stints as Chamber director—and contribute to Chilton County in ways beyond his work.

Robertson passed away on Feb. 28, after a battle with cancer, and was remembered at a memorial service March 8 at Clanton First Baptist Church.

Robertson leaves a void at the Chamber and in the community. Many miss him, but they can be assured that they are better equipped to handle the community’s challenges, and the challenges in their personal lives, because they knew Robertson, a man who was a mentor to many.

Clanton accountant and businesswoman Janice Hull is one of those. She was a member of the Chamber’s Board of Directors when Mike was hired in 1999.

Robertson, a Montgomery native, had previously worked in sales and human resources, traveling around the country.

Hull remembers Robertson saying, “We just came through here and loved it and wanted to stay.”

He and his wife Patsy did, at least for five years. From 2004 until 2009, Robertson helped with his son’s construction business in Millbrook. He returned to Chilton County and the Chamber in 2009.

“He was so organized, it seemed like everything got better,” Hull said about Robertson’s involvement with Chamber efforts, such as the Peach Jam Jubilee, the annual banquet and monthly luncheons.