Charley Gaines

Hartselle Enquirer

In the midst of controversy surrounding law enforcement in the United States, the Hartselle City Council and Senator Arthur Orr stood in the council chambers Tues., Sept. 13, and honored the city’s police officers as they begin and continue their service to the community.

The regular council meeting started with the invocation and roll call, but before getting to the agenda the council presented HPD’s newest officer Lynn Dean for the first time.

“Lynn is a very experienced police officer,” said Chief Ron Puckett in front of the council. “He worked as a police officer for Falkville for a long time and most recently he was in Owens Cross Roads in Madison County. We kind of stole him from them.” Puckett went on to say he’s known Dean since he was a boy and that he’s a good man, a good officer and he believes Dean will make Hartselle citizens proud. The city’s lawyer, Larry Madison, came down to the podium at the front of the room and swore in Officer Dean.

“This is one fine police officer, and I’m proud to call him a Hartselle police officer,” said Madison before requesting Dean raise his right hand for the oath to “faithfully and honestly discharge the duties of police officer” to the best of his abilities and sealed it by requesting God’s accountability.

The swearing in ceremony was followed by Senator Arthur Orr’s presentation honoring two Hartselle police officers who were recognized with the Life Saving Medals in June. Officers Brad Freeman and Patrick Niles pulled an 18-year-old man out of a burning car in February while risking their own lives.

“When I read about the actions of two of Hartselle’s police officers, I knew I had to do something to commemorate that, at least in the archives of the state of Alabama,” said Orr. “I wanted to read the final paragraph of this resolution that was passed by the Senate. It will be forever commemorated in our state archives. If Alabama’s still a state 200 years from now, after we’re long gone, the feats of these two gentlemen will be remembered.”

Orr continued by reading the last two paragraphs of the resolution.

“WHEREAS, Officers Brad Freeman and Patrick Niles are worthy exemplars of courageous men and women who willingly place their own lives on the line to safeguard humanity and to uphold the highest ideals of law; their unwavering commitment to excellence in law enforcement reflects immense credit the entire State of Alabama, and they are truly deserving of highest commendation and praise. Now therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, That officers Brad Freeman and Patrick Niles are highly honored and commended in this resolution offered to them in deepest admiration and appreciation along with sincere best wishes for the future.” Everyone came to their feet and applauded the two men as they stood with Orr and Puckett and received recognition for their heroics on the job.

Hartselle’s City Council also called for three public hearings with no response from the citizens of Hartselle. They asked for comments on Ordinance 1448 (the annexation of Nanceford Road property) and Ordinance 1449 (the zoning for the same property). Although there were public hearings for the ordinances, the council tabled those two items until after the runoff election since the city can’t expand its limits within 60 days of Oct. 4.

The council also called for a public hearing on the purchase of stream credits on the proposed landfill extension. No Hartselle resident stepped forward to comment on the purchase in the public hearing, so the council moved on to the next items on the agenda. They passed all of the following items:

•Mayor’s signature on a renewal contract with Hartselle Utilities for fire hydrant maintenance.

•Adoption of the current volunteer roster for Fire Department

•Mayor’s signature on amended contract with Morgan County Commission for sales tax collection

•Mayor’s signature on amended contract with Tyler Technologies for new time and attendance software

•Updated job description for Library Manager

•Adoption of State Aid agreement with APLS for library

•Budget adjustment – state gasoline fund for road work

•Appointment to CBD Design Review Board

•Accepted Mike Roberson’s resignation from City Council