by Terralea Collins

Ardmore, TN Mayor Bobby Hastings brought the meeting to order Thursday, Oct. 5, 2006. Ken Crosson lead in prayer. Present at the meeting were Mayor Hastings; Aldermen Ken Crosson, Raymond Crabtree, Garon Hargrove, Laurene Schrimsher, Janice Reece and Tim McConnell.

Guests included Police Chief William “Doc” Oliver, Judge John Damron from Pulaski, and Giles County Sheriff Kyle Helton.

Mayor Hastings introduced Sheriff Kyle Helton, who cleared issues concerning what defines “ticketing” versus “arresting.”

Judge Damron discussed the need for a local magistrate to issue arrest warrants. An arresting officer must be able to articulate, on paper, probable cause and then take it to the magistrate to sign the arrest warrant. The magistrate must also be able to determine if the person is capable of being incarcerated or needs medical help. The position is a part time job 10 to 29 hours per week at minimum wage or more, who has to be available 24/7 and will work under the instruction of Judge Damron. The magistrate must be elected by the county commission.

Escrow closed Thursday, September 28, 2006 on the lot that was purchased to build a new city hall and helipad. Purchase price was $180,000.00 for two acres. The survey showed the lot to be five feet more than expected.

The city jail cell has been out of date for 20 years and by law needs to be replaced. It was originally purchased in the 1950’s from Athens.

There will be a new street light and 20 mph speed limit sign installed on Valley Lane.

There are three issues on the, “3 Star Program”, with each being unanimously approved in order to get the $700,000 USDA grant/loan to build the new city hall and helipad.

Discrimination laws needed to be approved in order to comply with the USDA grant/loan the city is receiving. It passed unanimously.

Several traffic offense laws were reaffirmed and passed.

The Code of Ethics was unanimously passed and took effect immediately.

Mayor Hastings reported a reminder that the public buildings can only be used for non profit benefits and not personal gain benefits.

Ken Crosson reported that property sold on Union Hill Road will be used for a new medical mall.

Alderman Crosson also reported that Kentucky Fried Chicken and Taco Bell will be moving into town, with no date set as of yet.

The Ardmore, Alabama Town Council meeting will be held Monday, October 16 at 6:30 p.m. with the joint meeting of the Tennessee and Alabama councils meeting afterward at 7:30 p.m.

The Water Board meeting will be held October 30, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. at the water department.

Large item trash pick-up will be October 16th through 20th for residents in Ardmore.

Items must be placed on the side of the street by Monday morning, October 16th. Additional items may not be put out for pickup after the truck has already picked up on that street. See related story on page one for information.

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