By Jeremy D. Wells
Carter County Times
Olive Hill City Council held an extended executive session last Tuesday to consider candidates to fill the vacant chief-of-police position. When it was over Mayor Jerry Callihan moved to appoint Detective Bruce Palmer to the position, a move that city council voted unanimously to approve.
After making that move, councilman Justin Dixon made a motion to withdraw from participation in the FIVCO Area Drug Enforcement (FADE) task force, which council also approved.
Palmer, who was the Olive Hill Police Department’s FADE representative, has been a part of the task force since 2010, serving as director of the task force since 2017.
Palmer told council he would need to file a written notice with FADE, giving them 60-days notice to find a replacement. But, he said, he would ask the FADE Board to appoint a new director as soon as possible. In the meantime, he said, he would keep up with the duties of both offices.
Callihan commended R.D. Porter, the other candidate considered for the position, for his hard work with the department and on the new station over the past several months, saying it was a difficult decision. He added that he hoped Porter and Palmer could work together and maintain the momentum they’ve created.
Councilman Chris Bledsoe said it was a “tough decision” as well.
“We had two really good internal candidates that are both hometown candidates,” Bledsoe said after the meeting had concluded. “Both have given many years of great service to Olive Hill and the surrounding areas. It makes me happy to see people within our own community who want to excel and continue to provide quality efforts to make our town safe.”
In other action, council moved to approve a request for disbursement on the energy savings project, and heard an update on progress with the water plant update. A representative from Harshaw-Trane told Callihan that increased customer-side water leaks might be a result of increased water pressure that are resulting from repairs of supply-side leaks in the system. Those existing leaks are being targeted with the help of a new leak detection system but, ironically, increased leaks in other weak points – including on the customer end – might be a result of those repairs.
They also moved to accept the treasurer’s report and department reports, and approved a motion to surplus an older bucket truck that is not being used by the street or utilities departments.
In the public comment period Duane Roberts discussed plans from Trail Town to establish a walking trail around the city reservoir, to create a park and picnic area, and to use the space to offer kayaking lessons and other outdoor programs for area youth.
Lisa Messer-Conley gave a Chamber of Commerce update, and discussed a possible Easter giveaway event.
The next regular meeting of Olive Hill Council is scheduled for Tuesday, March 15, at 6 p.m. in the Olive Hill Senior Citizens Center building, on Railroad Street.
Contact the writer at editor@cartercountytimes.com
