Jody Allen named new fire chief in West Frankfort

The word ‘acting’ can now be removed from fire chief Jody Allen’s office door. The West Frankfort City council named Allen to the chief position during action at Tuesday night’s regular monthly meeting. He had been acting in that capacity after Wes Taylor retired.  Allen is 14-year veteran of the fire department, beginning January 16, 1999.  Mayor Jordan recalled having worked with Allen when he was a firefighter. The new chief lives in West Frankfort with his wife and four children.

The council also approved a draft of a comprehensive police department “Policy and Procedural” manual. The thick book of departmental policy was presented to the council by police chief Shawn Talluto.  Now, the chief will return with the manual to begin liaison work with his officers for any changes that may be needed.

City council members voted to accept a grant from the Delta Regional Authority pertaining to the business incubator. The grant is for $47,250 and will be used for fire compression systems in the structure. Mayor Tom Jordan added another benefit aside from increased safety, ” Tenants will see their insurance go way down,” the mayor noted.

Mayor Jordan also said the city was in the process of contacting owners of non-owner occupied premises regarding inspections.  Rental properties must now be inspected, with October being the current date for that to have been completed. Jordan said he hopes that all property meets the inspection time window and that no one waits until the last minute to schedule an inspection.

It was reported that the thermal imaging camera has arrived at the fire department.  The camera was purchased by the Ladies Auxiliary of the Fire Dept.  They raised money for the camera by hosting such events as the annual Fire and Ice Ball.

A number or resolutions were passed regarding street work to be undertaken during the summer season. During the commissioner reports, street commissioner Tara Chambers had some positive news. She prefaced her comments with an explanation about how slowly it takes to get the wheels of government moving at times. But, then the commissioner reported that the first vestiges of the Ninth Street sidewalk project were actually taking shape.

“We have a property owner ready to sign their easement”, said Chambers.

This was believed to be among the last resident hurdles that needed to be cleared.  Sidewalks are planned for a multi-block area of Ninth Street to allow children not to have to walk in the busy roadway to get and return to the Intermediate and Junior High schools- which is the case now. The sidewalk has long been the dream of a former school Principal Gail Borton Jr. It has been a major goal of Chambers since being elected and taking over the street department.

The council also agreed to allow their engineers (Brown& Roberts Inc.) to continue with efforts to secure a second off- ramp from I-57 into the city.  This is a major part of a plan to bring a huge economic development to the city.  Former city council member Scott Williams is proposing what’s known as the “Oasis.”   This project would be a major truck stop located near, and just south of, the current shopping center.  From that truck stop, would grow ancillary businesses such as food outlets, recreation and other additions. The city has spent $70 thousand dollars to this point on the project.

 In other council action:

– Approval was granted for the American Cancer Society to hold a roadblock for their Relay for Life event. This roadblock would be Saturday June 8th. Permission was also granted for the A.J. Mitchell Torch Run event.

   – Approval was made to pay bills totaling $ 187,234.23

   – A request from the American Legion was accepted by the Council for roadblocks June 14th and 15th, noon-6pm

    – A payment of $ 1,783.85 is to be made to Republic Services for the final load of surplyus vitamins to be taken from the business incubator.   A business there that sold bulk vitamins closed when the owner died. That left the city with the responsibility of getting rid of the hard to dispose of vitamins.

     The next meeting of the City council will be Tuesday May 28 at 7 p.m. at city hall.