By Rupert Howell
A complaint against a police officer, approval of an unmarked police car, a $105,000 amendment to the budget and a few routine matters of business made for a very brief May meeting of the board of mayor and aldermen of the Town of Sardis held Tuesday.
After Alice Jones complained about the issuing of a warrant to her niece, she eventually stated, “Serve your warrant, but there’s a way to do it,” while suggesting the officer was out of line while delivering a recent document.
Jones was informed that the police officer she mentioned was no longer with Sardis Police Department.
Aldermen agreed to keep a new police cruiser unmarked as law enforcement agencies are required to go before their governing board for approval. Some municipalities as well as Panola County Sheriff’s Department use unmarked vehicles, all of which must be approved by governing boards.
Aldermen amended their budget to pay for $104,953.45 for a sewer lift station near Green Hill Subdivison, then approved $500 towards Chamber of Commerce purchases from the tourism tax account.
Sardis Lake Marina Restaurant is improving that property by adding a deck and patio which required board approval as the town has interest in property at the facility. The measure passed unanimously.
Town attorney Tommy Shuler reported that property considered to be a nuisance near the intersection of Highways 51 and 315 had, “a bunch of heirs,” causing additional time to be needed for legal paperwork. Neighbors had previously complained of illegal activity at the area spilling over to nearby homes and businesses.
“Hopefully by next month we’ll have something filed,” Shuler told aldermen.
Mayor Billy Russell again reminded aldermen of the Saturday, June 11 clean up day in recognition of Clean Up America, a national effort to fight litter.
Russell will offer a “Mayor’s Trophy” to the alderman who enlist the most volunteers for the event.
Routine business commenced after the traditional opening, prayer and pledge of allegiance followed by approval of minutes from two April meetings with the May meeting lasting 19 minutes.