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BEING
SWORN IN. Donna Turnbow, shown here being sworn-in by City
Secretary Karen Wilkerson, is one of two new DeLeon police
officers. |
DeLeon City Council members hired two new
police officers -- Heather Harding and Donna Turnbow -- after a
lengthy executive session during their most recent meeting, Thursday,
November 29, 2007.
According to Chief Ralph Dickey, Harding,
a seven year veteran of the Comanche Police Department, and Turnbow, a
14 year law enforcement veteran, will begin work in the next few
weeks.
In an interview after the meeting, Dickey
said that he was looking forward to the DeLeon Police Department
“having a full crew again.”
“We already had a lot of law enforcement
experience here, and these officers will add so much more,” Dickey
said. “Dustin (Paulsen) has nine years in law enforcement, Ben
(Rowell) has seven years, and I’ve had 15. Now with these officers,
and their 14 years and seven years, that’s a lot of experience for a
town this size.”
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BEING
SWORN IN. Heather Harding, shown here being sworn-in by City
Secretary Karen Wilkerson, is one of two new DeLeon police
officers. |
Chief Dickey also said that there is a
definite need for a female police officer in DeLeon. “Sometimes, it’s
just better for female assault victims, and children, to have a female
to talk to. So, for several reasons, we’re just glad to have them
here.”
During the Thursday meeting, Council
members also renewed the contract with Riggs Cemetery Service for
maintenance on the DeLeon Cemetery.
“Council, as you recall we did a trial
period with Riggs Cemetery Services to see how they would handle our
cemetery,” Owen said, “and I would like to go on record saying that
they have done an excellent job, it looks very nice.” Council members
echoed Owen’s statement, after which he added, “I’m hoping the Council
will approve continuing your contract.”
He then asked if there were any
questions, concerns or suggestions.
After a brief discussion regarding fire
ant control issues, Council members voted to renew the contract for
the remainder of a full two-year term.
In other business, Council members:
• Approved Resolution #011-07; a joint
street seal coat project for 2008.
• Approved the minutes (with minor
changes) of the November 8 regular meeting, and a called meeting on
November 16, 2007.
• Approved first reading of Ordinance
#016-07, taxation of goods in transit.
• Took no action on a request by Emma
Garza regarding the rental of the DeLeon City Hall auditorium, due to
cancelation of the request.
• Tabled, until further information is
obtained, any action on an agenda item described as, “Discuss and
consider land for the DeLeon Cemetery” after a brief executive
session.
• Approved the purchase (partially funded
by insurance) of a new tractor to replace a city tractor destroyed by
fire several months ago.
• Tabled a decision on hiring a part-time
code enforcement officer, pending further research and information.
• Approved the adoption of Ordinance #
018-07, a budget amendment.
“Once again, we’re needing some operating
cash to finish up our amphitheater and ticket booth (at the new
Community Park),” Owen said. “We’re needing to transfer $20,000 from
the streets (department) over into the parks department. This is
taking a big chunk out of the street department, but please remember
that we’ve got this other money that’s in a special account to
subsidize our street repairs, so we’re not completely staggering the
street department on being able to do their work. It’s just that we
need to have this other stuff done by December 20. We’ve satisfied the
grant, now we’re trying to satisfy the people from the Parks and
Wildlife Department on the finishing of everything. If you get a
chance, you should drive through there, there’s been a lot going on
out there in the last few weeks. We’re either going to have to do
this, or we’re going to have to go out for a loan.”
Council members then voted to approve the
ordinance for the transfer. |
