At their first meeting since being inducted into office Saturday, the Poplarville Board of Aldermen got down to business Wednesday night to appoint city personnel.
After a nomination from Alderwoman Maggie Smith, the Board voted to appoint Shirley Wiltshire as mayor pro tempore to act on behalf of Mayor Rossie Creel in his absence.
In other matters, the Board reappointed:
-City Clerk Jane O’Neal
-City Attorney Nick Thompson
-Police Chief Don T. “Butch” Raby, Jr.
-Fire Chief Jonathan Head
-Public Works Superintendent Sam Hale
-Municipal Court Judge Hal Breland
-Prosecuting Attorney Clay Cranford
-Public Defender Kevin Roberts
-Election Commissioners Gwen Jordan and Richard Sharp. A third slot was left open
The Board also appointed:
-Planning Commission members Steve Colson, Nita Gilpin, Jamie Richardson, Michelle Lewis and Tammy Krutchfield.
-Electrical inspectors David Johnson and Byron Burge. Alderwoman Anne Gendusa Smith voted against Johnson’s appointment. The Board left the third slot vacant for the time being.
-Mechanical inspector David Johnson. Anne Smith abstained from the vote.
-Plumbing and gas inspector David Johnson and Byron Burge. Anne Smith again abstained.
The Board tabled appointing someone as the code enforcement/building inspector officer until top three candidates can be chosen and interviews can be conducted during executive session at the next meeting. Pearl River County Code Enforcement Officer Kolby Davis is currently serving as interim inspector for the city.
In other matters, Fire Chief Jonathan Head updated the Board about several department matters, including the resignation of a newly certified full-time firefighter.
The Board accepted the resignation of Camron Ladner as a full-time firefighter. Because he recently completed certification training paid for by the city, Ladner’s new employer in Hancock County will reimburse the city about $4,000, Head said.
The Board also approved adding Ladner to the part-time firefighter list.
Head spoke to the Board about a proposal by AAA Ambulance Service to lease part of the space in the fire station.
Due to the legal complications that would be involved in that agreement, the Board took no action.
Other matters discussed at Wednesday’s meeting, including public works projects and economic development, will be published in Friday’s Item.