Friday, December 5, 2003

Fairburn roles out the awards

By LINDSAY BIANCHI
Special to The Citizen

Fairburn officials showed their appreciation for the good work being done by fellow employees and fellow citizens Monday night.

The mayor and City Council recognized Sure Lock Self Storage for the great job done in developing the new business. City administrator Jim Williams handed out the award saying that the builders went "above and beyond the call of duty" in completing their project.

The owners thanked Harvey Stokes and Kenny Dodson for their help as well and went on to say the city had been very open- armed to them. They held their grand opening December 11.

Chief Walt Brown got up to commend two of his employees for helping streamline the intake of prisoners at the jail and for saving the taxpayers $7000 in the process. The team cut the cost of processing prisoners by 75 percent. 

Officer Robert Bovell was then introduced to the Mayor and Council as the police department's latest hire. New to Fairburn, Bovell wanted to work in a growing community. He has worked for the College Park Police Department and is studying for his criminal justice degree. He plans to move to the city soon.

Melissa Gordon, another new employee of the police department was not present for the meeting.

Mayor Betty Hannah surprised Councilman Roy Farr who turned 70 Monday by requesting a chorus of "Happy Birthday." The mayor thanked Farr for his dedication to Fairburn as she noted his presence at the meeting in spite of the milestone. 

Hannah then presented Councilman Harvey Melear with a plaque in appreciation of the 12 years of service he has given to Fairburn. Each of the City Council members expressed their thanks for his help in running the affairs of the city. Everyone said they would miss him except Councilman Doug Crawford who insisted he would not.

Melear stood up to receive a little more ribbing from the group and asked the mayor to allow him to strike the gavel and bring his final meeting to a close.