PAYNE SPRINGS - James East finally got a job that pays with the Payne
Springs Police Department it was announced at Tuesday night's council meeting.
East had been a volunteer officer for the city for about 15 months (since Sept. 10, 2007). The council had refused to hire East in the past, but he had continued as a reserve officer just the same.
The council didn't vote on the hiring of East this time. Noble hired him for a part-time position, telling some members he could make the hire without putting the matter to a vote of the council.
Councilman Vic Brazell told the council he had researched the matter, and that Noble was, indeed, within his rights to make the hire.
The hire was necessitated when Interim Police Chief Shane Renberg resigned on Jan. 15 to become an assistant fire marshal for Henderson Country, Pct. 2. That left the city with no paid police officers.
East said after the meeting, the city has two reserve officers in Wade Morton and Jerry Lassiter. Both are non-paying positions.
The mayor was not in attendance at Tuesday night's meeting because he had
undergone eye surgery earlier in the day.
The business of hiring a police chief was not addressed. Renberg had applied for the position several times in the past, but the council had voted him down.
In the mayor's absence, Mayor Pro-Tem Carl Powell presided, and convinced a major of the attending council members to approve a new rule requiring the officer to leave the patrol car at the police station when he wasn't on duty.
East wouldn't specify what hours he would be working, not wishing to alert potential criminals of when he might not be on duty. "I've got to sleep sometime," he said.
Still, with the passage of the new rule, East's patrol car will be parked at the station when he's off-duty, which conceivably could alert some would-be criminals of his off-hours.
In making the motion, Powell said the Payne Springs patrol car had been spotted in Trinidad. He said he had another report that the vehicle had been left running for one hour and fifteen minutes in December.
The vote was 3-1-1 with Councilman Ladell Terrell, Lynn Sorrell and Powell voting for the motion, Rodney Renberg against it and Brazzell abstaining.
Local News
Payne Springs down to part timer police officer
- Local News
-
-
County conducts first of two tax rate hearings
ATHENS — The Henderson County Commissoners Court Tuesday conducted the first of two public hearings on the tax rate in what has been a peaceful budget season.
-
They’re ready to Walk Like MADD
Athens — For the past year, Tammi Branch has just about experienced every emotion there is. She has been sad, frustrated, perplexed, angry and even a little excited, just to name a few.
-
Kemp has water problems
KEMP — Residents in Kemp are glad the water is back on, there’s only one problem...It’s dirty.
-
Voters to decide on Mabank ISD tax increase
MABANK — Voters will be going to the polls to decide whether or not to assess themselves a 13 cent tax rate increase.
-
HC receives grant to fight crime
ATHENS - Henderson County has received $22,156 in grant money from the Department of Justice to help law enforcement decrease the crime rate in the area.
-
Tool mayor indicted for DWI
The Tool mayor was indicted for Driving While Intoxicated, third or more offense by the Henderson County Grand Jury in August.
-
Motorcycle accident sends two to hospital
MABANK - An accident involving a motorcycle on Friday sent two individuals to the hospital.
-
Man indicted for shooting
Athens — A 30-year-old man has been indicted for attempted murder in the shooting of his ex-girlfriend.
-
Avoid a DWI
AUSTIN— The Texas Department of Transportation, police departments, and sheriff’s offices across Texas are working together to reduce impaired driving this summer and especially during the upcoming Labor Day weekend. TxDOT is illustrating the choice between getting a sober ride or risking a DWI by driving after drinking with an arresting image—unique vehicles that are a police patrol car on the front end and a taxi cab on the back end.
-
Robbers hit two hotels same night
MABANK - Authorities in neighboring counties worked together to arrest two men in connection with the burglaries of two local hotels over the weekend.
- More Local News Headlines
-
County conducts first of two tax rate hearings
