Aldermen vote to mark unmarked police cars

By: Mike Conley | McDowell News
Published: February 07, 2010

At a recent meeting, the Old Fort Board of Aldermen voted 4-1 to no longer have unmarked police cars patrolling the streets and get rid of tinted windows in some patrol cars.
At the regular Jan. 25 meeting, the Old Fort aldermen talked about ways to save costs. During this discussion, Alderwoman Sue Gibbs said she's heard from several town residents that all Old Fort police cars should be marked with the town insignia and all tinted police car windows should be untinted. Gibbs said that she, as a woman, would not pull over if an unmarked car tried to stop her. She added that a small town like Old Fort should not have police cars that are unmarked or have tinted windows.
In addition, Gibbs said all police cars should be parked back at the Police Department when the shift is over. Alderman Wayne Stafford said sometimes the Sheriff's Office needs the Old Fort Police Department's assistance and therefore, the police cars end up at places where you would not expect them to be. Gibbs said she understood that.
Mayor Garland Norton said he agreed with Gibbs and said there should not be unmarked cars.
After a discussion, the board voted 4-1 to have all police cars marked, remove the tinted windows and for all patrol cars to be parked at the Police Department when the shift is over. Stafford voted against the motion.
Since the vote, the town has been working to mark the unmarked cars and remove the tint from the windows.
"They are in the process of doing that," said Norton on Friday. "It's just common courtesy and safety."
Near the end of the meeting, the board met in closed session for about 15 minutes to talk about a personnel matter. After the session ended, Gibbs made a motion to dismiss Steve Smith as the public works director for the town.
Alderman Greg Piercy seconded her motion and it was approved by a 4-1 vote. Alderman Wayne Stafford voted against firing Smith.
When asked about the reason for the firing, Norton declined to comment.
The aldermen voted unanimously to find a replacement.
In other business, town officials talked about the placement of another quilt block for downtown Old Fort. It will be placed on the old Rockett building, where the Old Fort Mountain Music program is held every Friday evening. The quilt block will be placed in honor of retired Dr. George Ellis and should be ready by the end of this month or the first of March.
Town Hall is also set to get a quilt block, but the installation date has not been determined.
Dru Heldman of the TAAS Gallery and the Old Fort Mountain Heritage Alliance spoke to the board about his group's efforts to promote tourism in the town. The Mountain Heritage Alliance is working to place welcome signs for Old Fort and the Bradley minipark. Heldman asked that he and his group be placed on the aldermen's agenda every month so they can give an update.
In other business, the Board of Aldermen approved a resolution of support for the N.C. Department of Transportation to make sidewalk improvements within town limits. The resolution means the DOT will improve existing sidewalks in Old Fort and not build new ones.
Furthermore, the board reappointed Carroll Miller as the mayor pro tem and personnel director. Piercy will remain the Maintenance Department manager and safety coordinator for the town. Gibbs was chosen to be the manager of the Police Department. The budget committee will consist of Piercy, Miller, Norton and Finance Officer Renee Grindstaff.
The town will also start making photo identification badges for all the elected officials and Old Fort employees.

Aldermen vote to mark unmarked police cars

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