FRIARS POINT—Former police chief Tracy Vance was required to return all equipment that belonged to the town of Friars Point before receiving his final paycheck.
The city council voted to terminate Vance during the Oct. 1 regular meeting. At a special meeting Thursday morning, the council then voted to give Vance his final paycheck only after he returns all city equipment. Vance did turn in all of his equipment after the meeting.
The council went into an executive session for close to one hour before requiring Vance to turn in his equipment before receiving his check.
“Before I submit him his final check, do we want to add on there that he has to submit all his stuff that he has that belongs to the town,” said Mayor James Washington opening discussion during the meeting.
Washington said Vance had not returned everything as of Thursday morning, but he had inventory of all equipment city employees had in their possession.
The question arose as to whether or not Vance knew about his termination as of Thursday morning? It was announced during the Oct. 1 meeting, but several council members were not sure if he was in the room at that time.
“He knew about everything,” said Washington Thursday morning. “I talked to him this morning. He came by my house this morning.”
The town is advertising for a new police chief, but the Coahoma County Sheriff’s Office will be patrolling Friars Point more in the meantime.
In other business:
n Washington proposed passing an ordinance that could stop some Friars Point residents from gardening.
He said the smell of corn has become a problem when gardeners pull it out and cover it. He added he is trying to eliminate illnesses.
“If you’ve got any type of symptom problem, it creates another problem,” Washington said.
“I know one thing with sinuses and all that, I have difficult breathing.”
Washington said, with insects, the problem has increased in the area.
“It is worse than it has ever been,” he said.
“The smell, too,” said council member Carltonez Done in agreement.
“Every home in the area complained,” continued Washington.
Washington said he would ask city attorney Cheryl Webster to present an ordinance to the council.
If gardening was not eliminated Washington said it was important to “at least control what we produce.”
Right now, Washington said people are complaining about the crops being raised.
Washington said, at this time, he does not know what other options gardeners would have if an ordinance is passed.
“I’ll find that out when I discuss that with the attorney,” he said. “She’s the one that will look into it. There will be a follow-up on it at the next meeting.”
n The council also approved William McMahan, who works for the city maintenance department, be promoted to maintenance supervisor. He will not receive a salary increase.
“It’s fine. I’m happy with it,” said McMahan about his new supervisory role after the meeting.
