By Staff
Lovelace leaving city in October
By MARY-ALLISON LANCASTER Managing editor
Brewton Mayor Ted Jennings announced at the end of the council meeting Tuesday evening that David "Mickey" Lovelace will be retiring at the end of October.
Jennings sent out his "heartfelt thanks" for all the chief's service as he read aloud Lovelace's letter of resignation.
In his letter, Lovelace stated, "I have enjoyed working with the city, and if there's of any way I can be of assistance, please do not hesitate to call me."
Lovelace has served as a member of the police department for 25 years. He will officially end his tenure as chief on Oct. 26, 2005.
Lovelace was officially selected as the police chief on Feb. 27, 2001, after the council voted 4-2 to hire him fulltime.
Prior to Lovelace being voted as police chief, Mayor Ted Jennings had originally voted no to hiring Lovelace as the police chief. However, it came down to the wire and Jennings, who had kept his vote quiet until the end, voted in favor of hiring Lovelace as the new chief.
At a council meeting on July 12, Jennings stood next to Lovelace and congratulated him on his accomplishments and readily handed him a plaque, which made Lovelace a member of the Quarter of a Century Club.
Members of the club are full-time city employees that have worked for 25 years.
When honored with the plaque, Lovelace told council members "I appreciate it and I cherish it."
In the coming weeks, city council members and the mayor will determine the criteria individuals must have as they apply for the chief of police position. After the determination, Jennings said he and the council members will decide whether the scope of advertisement will extend outside the city limits or remain inside the city limits.
Then, Jennings said the city will advertise and decide who fits the criteria.
In other council news:
Council members have been working with the city attorney to determine whether they can up the number of Water Board members from three to five. Under the Alabama Code of Statutes, the city has the authority to increase the number of Water Board members. However, it must go through several steps.
The current Water Board members must formally submit a desire to amend and increase the membership from three to five. The board must then present the amendment to Probate Court. Attorney Amanda Hines, filling in for city attorney Ed Hines, explained the process to the council.
Under her recommendation, she advised council members to fill any vacancies before they decide to recommend the increase of members.
With Councilman Walter Lewis on sick leave, a seat has remained empty. Councilman Henry Uptagrafft recommended that Randy Nicholson be appointed to the Water Board.
Council members will determine whether Nicholson falls under the legal criteria to fill in Lewis' vacancy.