NEWS
Saint Jo businesses approach council about police department rebuild
By ERIC VICCARO
Saint Jo businessman John Sickles during Wednesday’s council meeting read a signed statement from downtown merchants with worries over how the city will rebuild its police force.
Last month, Saint Jo city leaders executed a separation agreement with former police officer Lindsey Montgomery and the group also accepted the resignation of Lindsey’s husband Michael Montgomery, who also served in the same capacity.
It all stemmed from when Lindsey Montgomery was denied a light-duty position during her pregnancy.
Sickles is concerned downtown is at risk since Police Chief Tyler Roy is currently the lone full-time employee, and he resides in Myra – a 15-minute drive to Saint Jo.
“I think this leaves us exposed,” said Sickles, who went on to say code enforcement in Saint Jo is “currently lacking” as well.
Sickles, who along with his wife runs a downtown art gallery and has renovated several buildings, also said he hopes the city will run better background searches on future prospective police officer candidates.
Read the full story in the weekend News.
The Bowie City Council will meet at 6 p.m. on May 27 in council chambers.
Items on the agenda include the following: City manager’s report discussing the master plan grant, repairs to Rock and Pillar and status of the substation transformer; consent agenda of minutes and bills; speed limit ordinance update second reading; Bowie 4B Sales Tax Corporation request to approve expenditures on park enhancement project to include additional concrete parking at Pelham Park and installation of covered pickleball courts southwest of the Bowie knife and public comments.
Bowie City Councilors heard complaints about the recently approved food truck ordinance during last week’s meeting and were updated on damage from recent flash flooding.
Mayor Gaylynn Burris also presented a proclamation for Emergency Medical Services Week, as members of the local EMS team were presented with the proclamation.
In his city manager’s report, Bert Cunningham said there were numerous problems with excessive rainfall during the last few weeks, with the most significant at Rock and Pillar where the rusted washed out culverts have been deteriorating for several years. Portions of Rock have collapsed near that intersection closing part of the street.
Another less traveled street had a sinkhole which the city crews have repaired, and two crews have been out trying to fill potholes and make street repairs as they can.
Cunningham told the council they have to figure out a way to pay for the new culverts on Rock and Pillar, and he has been meeting with a pair of engineering companies to get some preliminary estimates that are close to $1,000,000. He also has been talking with the city’s financial advisor to discuss options for financing repairs.
Read the full story in the May 22 Bowie News.
Photo – Mayor Gaylynn Burris presented a proclamation from the City of Bowie for National EMS Recognition Week. Several members of the Bowie EMS team were present: Daniel Fogle, Enrique Roman, Fire Chief Doug Page, Chad Gerlach, Marco Sandoval and Luke Waltersheid. (Courtesy photo)
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