Aldermen honor Haynes

The Winston County Journal

The Louisville Board of Aldermen held two meetings in July with a new administration in place.

Mayor Will Hill presided over his first two meetings of his term on July 7 and July 21. Mayor Hill got a taste of the city business including budget concerns, unclean property and spending of funds as well as honoring those who serve the community.

Board covers business in July 21 meeting

The July 21 meeting kicked off with a ceremony to honor assistant fire Chief Johnnie Roy Haynes who plans to retire July 31. Haynes first started working for the city in July 1978 as a mechanic on city vehicles and joined the fire department as a fulltime employee in 1990. Haynes then worked his way up to the position of assistant fire chief, which he assumed in October 2001. As part of his recognition Fire Chief Mike Steve Stevenson presented Haynes with his badge and nametag in a framed box.

"I never thought I would stay this long but it has been a joyful time," said Haynes.

In other business, the board:

¥ Ordered a proclamation recognizing the 12U Louisville USSSA All-Stars.

¥ Ordered a lien on 717 Winston Street property for clean up cost and penalties in the amount of $4712.13.

¥ Discussed several properties of concerns that were considered to be examined as unclean property.

¥ Approved 10 officers to attend free crime scene investigation training at Lake Tiak O'khata. The training is in conjunction with the Winston County Sheriff's office and U.S. Attorney's office.

¥ Approved bid on FEMA housing unit the city purchased two years ago. Bid was for $4,400.

¥ Discussed the city payment of the National Guard building light bill and if the city was required to make the payments. City leaders estimated that it would save $4,500 a year if city could move the bill over to the National Guard unit. The board planned to discuss during upcoming budget workshops.

¥ Discussed examining how crimestoppers dollars assessed on tickets could possibly be placed in the police department budget.

¥ Approved one additional volunteer firefighter.

¥ Approved Ashley Hannah as substitute 911 dispatcher for fill-in and emergencies.

¥ Discussed the purchase of property adjacent to Academy Park using grant funds. Mayor was approved to move forward with an offer.

July 7 meeting

¥ Approved Hazard mitigation grant with county.

¥ Approved Polo Custom Products ten-year tax exemption.

¥ Reappointed all department heads.

¥ Appointed Eugene Crosby as Mayor Pro Tem.

¥ Approved payment to Mississippi Tax Commission of annual fees on solid waste for $22,727.

¥ Authorized Mayor to sign for grant funds on phase 2 of airport project.

¥ Approved payment of $21711.69 to Engineers and Surveyors for service on the airport.

¥ Approved $20,896.56 in payments from grants on the coliseum work.

¥ Hired one rookie firefighter since assistant chief plans retirement.

¥ Approved a phone allowance for new mayor equal to the $42 previous bills cost.

¥ Approved an August 4 public hearing on the budget.

¥ Denied Police Chief attendance at Oxford training meeting over concerns of funding.

¥ Approved with a 3-2 vote DARE office attendance at national meeting since all but travel paid for by National DARE program. "This is a bargain basement price for training she can bring back to the community," said Police Chief L.M. Claiborne.

The next regular meeting of the board is August 4.