Council hails Mansell as hero

By Shelby Boman for the FCT

The Russellville City Council meeting Monday began with an emotional presentation of the Lifesaver award to Russellville Fire Department firefighter Shane Mansell.

Mansell was commended for heroic actions, namely using his CPR skills and his courage to save the life of Phil Powell, who was having a heart attack at a fishing tournament Mansell was directing.

The council gathered in the center of council chambers to present him with the award.

Mayor David Grissom said that by using Powell’s actual words, the resolution differed from the usual form.

“His plan was to make sure that a hero was ready, willing and able to serve him,” Grissom read. “Praise be to God and an enormous thank you to Shane Mansell.”

The meeting proceeded with a rundown of the 2015-2016 audits noting that Russellville has stayed within its yearly budget and paid back recognizable debt.

Bringing the meeting to a close, Tricia Bobo spoke before the council, explaining the mission of the nonprofit Liberty Learning Foundation. She invited the council and public to continue supporting the mission and invited the council to their celebratory event at the Russellville High School auditorium April 25 at 9 a.m.