This online news website is owned and operated by Becky Watts. If you enjoy reading Pike County Times, consider buying an advertisement for your business or sending a donation to support the only free online newspaper in Pike County. Donations can be sent to: The Pike County Times, PO Box 843, Zebulon, Georgia 30295. Click here to donate through PayPal. Thanks for supporting Pike County's only free online newspaper!
DRAFT MINUTES
MAY 21, 2015 6:00 P.M.
MOLENA - The meeting was called to order at 6:00 P.M. with Mayor Jay Garner, Councilmen Danny Riggins, Damon Riggins and Darrell Riggins present. City Attorney Jack Park and City Clerk Cindy Darsey were also present. Councilman George Ingram arrived at 7:00 P.M.
Danny Riggins opened the meeting with the invocation and pledge of allegiance.
MAYOR’S REPORT
Mayor Jay Garner gave a presentation on reasons why the City of Molena does not need to have a police department. (See attached copy of presentation) Mayor Garner wanted to make it clear that Chief Darsey and all of our reserve officers do a wonderful job and this presentation is not a slight on any of them.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Charles Martin – Asked some questions about the city charter and Splost money we received
Marcia Callaway-Ingram – In favor of police department
Joe Wysocki – not in favor of keeping department
Charles Garrard – in favor of keeping police department
Amy Wysocki – Had some questions
Brian Greene – In favor of police department
There were several people that live outside the city that voiced their opinion, one was in favor of keeping the police department and one was not. Molena’s mail carrier Patti Callaway that is not a resident of Molena did ask if the city could do something about the drugs because it is everywhere and she is on our streets every day. There was some more discussion among the citizens of Molena and council about different options such as the sheriffs department patrolling or community watches by citizens, and reasons why people want to keep or not keep the police department. It was also discussed what the required services offered by the city are in order to keep our city charter. Mayor Garner said that he believes if we keep the police department he believes that our current Chief Novin Darsey would be great working on our drug problem in the city with his past experience as a Captain over a narcotics task force and also working as a task force agent with the DEA. It was agreed by council whatever is decided by the people whether they agree or disagree with keeping the police department that they will move forward with the election results.
OLD/UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Darrell Riggins made a motion to place a referendum on the November 2015 ballot with the wording as follows: Shall the City of Molena continue to operate a police department? Yes or no, followed by a second from Damon Riggins and this unanimously passed.
Mayor Jay Garner made a motion to adjourn at approximately 7:40 P.M. followed by a second from Damon Riggins and this unanimously passed.
Click here to see the presentation that was made in the meeting and read past minutes, etc. from City of Molena meetings. Special thanks to Mayor Garner and the City of Molena for allowing Pike County Times to present this information to the public.