30 Applications In for Police Chief

There are 30 people trying to become Powder Springs’ next top law enforcement official.

As of at least April 4, there were in for police chief.

“We had a flurry of activity on Friday,” City Manager Rick Eckert said of the April 29 application deadline at Monday’s City Council meeting.

A committee of area law officials will be put together to look through the applications and make recommendations, Eckert said. After that, it will be up to city officials to decide who is most suited for the position.

Though there is no timeline, Eckert said he would like to see the new chief start “as soon as possible.” 

“We want a permanent chief,” he said.

The former chief, L. Rick Richardson, was after being on leave since late November.

said he sold two surplus police cars for an undervalued amount directly to the Braswell Police Department in 2007 instead of putting them up for auction, which is required by law for surplus city items. Mayor Pat Vaughn later clarified that there was a third car involved.

Richardson also illegally donated a video camera system to Braswell, the letter said. 

Also at Monday’s meeting:

• Eckert said he hopes to have a possible budget for the next fiscal year ready to present to the City Council at its May 11 work session. Eckert said at the April 13 work session that the city is for the next budget.
• Vaughn noted that the week of May 15-21 is National Public Works Week. She talked about the three employees who  and slept at the department during and after January’s big snowstorm. “We had three employees who left home on Sunday, and they brought their clothes and they stayed for three solid days around the clock … and I want to thank them for their dedication, and we truly owe them a debt of gratitude for all that they do for us every day,” Vaughn said, adding that she is grateful for all employees of the department. 
• Cindy Campbell, Ginny Galluzzo and Shirley Paxon were reappointed to the ’s Board of Directors.
• A special use permit for a gravel parking area was approved; a special use permit for a transportation service was approved; and a variance application for exterior siding materials was approved. 
• Councilwoman Cheryl Sarvis mentioned that the books collected from will be distributed to the roughly 800 students at on Wednesday. Volunteers are welcome to come help, she added.
• Councilman Tom Bevirt said the from the and Seven Springs Historical Society was “very much successful.” He also said that those who missed Saturday’s downtown can attend the next one, scheduled for July 30.
• Eckert said at the was “very well attended. People were out on the sidewalks. It was literally standing room only.” The city manager added: “I’d like to encourage everyone to get out and support the local businesses downtown. It’s really starting to pick up.”
• Vaughn mentioned the upcoming opening of the , set for sometime in June. “It’s so nice to see the downtown area picking up,” she said.
• Also mentioned was the opening of the new station, scheduled for May 12. 
• Sasha Burr, a kindergarten student at , led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance. Also, Vaughn read a proclamation making today a Time to Recognize the Teachers in the City of Powder Springs. Videos of the pledge and proclamation can be seen here.