Ardmore Joint Council Meets

by Terralea Collins

Ardmore, AL ~ October 16, 2006 ~ 7:30 p.m. ~ After a short break following the Ardmore, AL town council meeting, AL Mayor Eugene Shannon brought the meeting to order with Mayor Bobby Hastings.

Roll call included TN Vice-Mayor Ken Crosson, Laurene Schrimsher, Janice Reece, Tim McConnell and Raymond Crabtree. Alderman Garon Hargrove was absent.

Minutes were read from the last meeting. Ardmore, AL Councilman Billy Shannon motioned all was correct. Ricky Mitchell seconded, and all approved.

First on the agenda was to approve hiring new policeman Shawn Fitch from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s office. Fitch was hired part-time while attending the Alabama Police Academy in Jacksonville for 12 weeks, then begin working full-time in April 2007. Billy Shannon motioned to hire Shaw at $10.00 per hour until he graduates from the police academy. At that time his salary will be reviewed. Melody Duffy seconded, with all in favor on the AL side. On the TN side, Laurene Schrimsher and Janice Reece abstained. Laurene Schrimsher stated, “I abstained because the committee was supposed to make a recommendation first. Instead, Chief Oliver hired Fitch before a recommendation by the committee could be made.”

Second on the agenda was the Grievance Committee. Ken Crosson, Police Chief “Doc” Oliver, Ricky Mitchell and Street Dept. Supervisor Terry Barkley came to the meeting with recommendations for a 2% pay raise for the police department. A salary scale verses a cap on pay raises was discussed. They met with both mayors and talked about the officers driving the police cars home, being equivalent to $1.00 per hour, “which is a perk”, according to Mayor Bobby Hastings.

Both mayors are for letting the police department drive the cars home so they can respond to after hours emergency calls, but not for personal use. After a long discussion, they decided that a 10-mile radius from the police department is as far as any of them, including city trucks and cars, can be used to drive home, with no personal use. Ricky Mitchell made the motion and Bobby Hastings seconded, with nine voting yes and Melody Duffy abstaining. Ken Crosson voted no. As far as a 2% pay raise or salary scale verses a cap, it’s still up in the air.

Next Alabama Council Meeting is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 13, 2006.