The city of Ludowici officially hired a new police chief at its Tuesday meeting. With Mayor James Fuller’s recommendation, the council voted unanimously to hire Herbert A. Gaskin.    

“Chief Gaskin is a local person, and I believe he knows the needs of our city. I know he’s going to do what he thinks is right, and I believe he will be a fine chief for us,” Fuller said.

Councilman Mark Chesser also spoke highly of Gaskin, who he expects will enforce the law equally.

“I expect him to treat everyone the same and to enforce the law equally, no matter who you are. I expect him to do a great job, and I feel that he can be one of the best chiefs that we ever had if he puts his mind to it and does what he is capable of doing,” Chesser said.

Gaskin, who has 10 years of experience in law enforcement and 2,699 documented hours of Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training, expressed gratitude during the meeting to the mayor and council for their votes of confidence.

“I’m glad and happy to be given this opportunity and put in this position,” he said. “We’re going to clean up the city and, as a police department, we’re going to be community-oriented and do all we can to work with the businesses and the people.”

Gaskin graduated from Armstrong Atlantic State University in 2002.  

The council members said that Diannia Duncan, who had been acting as the interim police chief, will resume her role as the police department’s investigator.

The council also discussed Fuller’s pay during Tuesday’s meeting. According to city clerk Cindy McClelland, questions regarding the accuracy of Fuller’s pay have been raised by Ludowici resident Janis Goode, who claims the mayor has been receiving a monthly salary of $800 plus a $200 per diem rate. Goode thinks the mayor only should receive $800.

McClelland said that after researching the matter, he discovered that in August 2003, the city council approved a measure to pay the mayor a per diem rate of $50 per day. McClelland said Fuller had not been receiving this amount, but only $200 per month. However, the pay of previous mayor Myrtice Warren reflected the rate of $50 per day. McClelland said that with this discovery, Fuller’s pay would be corrected as of Tuesday, and at the end of the year, he will receive a 1099 form for his total paid.

The council also heard a complaint from city resident Toby Davis of Lee Street regarding animals owned by a Kadee Dasher. The council told Davis that he would have to take the matter to the Long County Code Enforcement Office for investigation.

Council members Gwen Davis, Mary Hamilton, Chesser and the mayor attended the meeting. Johnny Manning and Frank McClelland Jr. were not present.