LUDOWICI - At the Jan. 8, Ludowici City Council meeting, several items of business were on the agenda, but none more important than those dealing with the city police department.
As of the meeting, the council had not replaced retired Police Chief Frank McClelland Sr., but according to Mayor Myrtice Warren, Assistant Chief Richard Robertson was filling the position.
"We are still accepting applications for the position, and we are also talking to Richard about the job," Warren said.
She said that even though Robertson was heading up the department now, he had turned in a letter informing the council he may be leaving the department soon.
The mayor also said the city was accepting applications for a full-time certified police officer.
When asked about the capability of the police department, Councilman Frank McClelland Jr. said, "The department has made shift adjustments to make sure we can cover the city, and we will do whatever is necessary to continue to provide adequate protection and service to the citizens."
In other police related business, the council approved raising the rate of prison meals from $4.50 to $5 per meal, and discussed the possibility of increasing rate charged to hold federal prisoners. Currently the rate is $30 per night.
The council also voted to rehire all city employees at the meeting, however due to financial strains, the employees were hired on an interim basis.
According to Councilman James Fuller, "We are just doing this temporarily until we can make some adjustments at the city with the finances."
The council also discussed the possibility of extending the city limits, and City Attorney Richard Phillips said there were two ways to do this; either take the measure through the state legislature or do so by self-governing at the local level. However, the attorney did say that for it to be feasible, the council would probably need to make a decision on what they wanted to annex by the February meeting.
All city councilmen were sworn in by Judge Richard Phillips. Aldermen who took oaths of office were A.A. "Zip" Billings, James Fuller Jr., Frank McClelland Jr., Gwendolyn Davis and Debbie Bolick. Warren and Municipal Court Judge Larry M. Fowler Sr. also were sworn in.
The council also reappointed Phillips as city attorney and appointed Cathy Stapleton to represent Ludowici on the Long County Board of Health.
Arthur Davis, owner of the Ludowici Car Wash, report on the business since he purchased it.
We've been fixing it up and have eliminated the drainage problem. I'm up there every day, and people are telling me that it looks great."
Mary Hamilton informed the council of the activities planned for the Martin Luther King holiday on Jan. 21, and invited members to the celebration at Long County High School.
As of the meeting, the council had not replaced retired Police Chief Frank McClelland Sr., but according to Mayor Myrtice Warren, Assistant Chief Richard Robertson was filling the position.
"We are still accepting applications for the position, and we are also talking to Richard about the job," Warren said.
She said that even though Robertson was heading up the department now, he had turned in a letter informing the council he may be leaving the department soon.
The mayor also said the city was accepting applications for a full-time certified police officer.
When asked about the capability of the police department, Councilman Frank McClelland Jr. said, "The department has made shift adjustments to make sure we can cover the city, and we will do whatever is necessary to continue to provide adequate protection and service to the citizens."
In other police related business, the council approved raising the rate of prison meals from $4.50 to $5 per meal, and discussed the possibility of increasing rate charged to hold federal prisoners. Currently the rate is $30 per night.
The council also voted to rehire all city employees at the meeting, however due to financial strains, the employees were hired on an interim basis.
According to Councilman James Fuller, "We are just doing this temporarily until we can make some adjustments at the city with the finances."
The council also discussed the possibility of extending the city limits, and City Attorney Richard Phillips said there were two ways to do this; either take the measure through the state legislature or do so by self-governing at the local level. However, the attorney did say that for it to be feasible, the council would probably need to make a decision on what they wanted to annex by the February meeting.
All city councilmen were sworn in by Judge Richard Phillips. Aldermen who took oaths of office were A.A. "Zip" Billings, James Fuller Jr., Frank McClelland Jr., Gwendolyn Davis and Debbie Bolick. Warren and Municipal Court Judge Larry M. Fowler Sr. also were sworn in.
The council also reappointed Phillips as city attorney and appointed Cathy Stapleton to represent Ludowici on the Long County Board of Health.
Arthur Davis, owner of the Ludowici Car Wash, report on the business since he purchased it.
We've been fixing it up and have eliminated the drainage problem. I'm up there every day, and people are telling me that it looks great."
Mary Hamilton informed the council of the activities planned for the Martin Luther King holiday on Jan. 21, and invited members to the celebration at Long County High School.
