Aldermen mark Furlow’s service
Published 5:00 am Thursday, June 9, 2005
Brookhaven aldermen handled a variety of personnel issuesTuesday and presented a resolution honoring Jimmy Furlow, who waskilled in April while working at the city landfill.
Mayor Bob Massengill read the resolution commending Furlow onhis over 30 years of service to the city and his dedication tohelping community in other areas. Framed copies of the resolutionwill be given to Furlow’s wife Sheila and their children Adam andKayla.
“He would be humbled and very honored that everyone cared somuch for him,” Sheila Furlow said during the board meeting.
Sheila said her husband cared very much for the city and itspeople. She said he would hope officials have that same attitude inmaking decisions about the city.
In other action Tuesday, aldermen appointed Deedee Henning tothe Brookhaven Parks Commission.
Henning will replace longtime chairman Roland Wall, who has beenon the board 45 years. Ward Five Alderman Tom Smith recommendedHenning, who will begin July 1.
Alderman at large Les Bumgarner said Wall is in the process ofmoving out of town. However, he was hoping to stay with thecommission a short time until the move is complete.
“He would like to be reappointed for a couple of months,”Bumgarner said.
Ward One Alderman Dorsey Cameron, though, questioned why theboard would make an appointment for only a few months. He praisedWall’s service but did not see a need for such a briefappointment.
“He has done a good job for the recreation department,” Cameronsaid of Wall.
The parks commission functions separately from the city board,but aldermen approved a resolution encouraging the commission torecognize Wall’s service.
“Forty-five years doing anything is amazing,” Massengillsaid.
Following an executive session for personnel reasons, aldermenaccepted Brookhaven Fire Chief Bob Watts’ recommendation of FredSmith as permanent assistant chief. Smith had been interimchief.
Also approved were new salaries of $46,275 a year for Watts and$37,223 a year for Smith.
Among other fire department moves, James Dykes and Marty Beesonwere named shift captains. Tony Weeks and Charles Francis werepromoted to captains and Donald Sterling and Eric Smith were namedlieutenants.
In nonpersonnel related action, the board approved withoutcomment new ordinances governing subdivisions and stormwaterpollution prevention. A rule change governing parking spacerequirements was also approved.
“A lot of time and effort when into these,” Building InspectorSteve Moreton said about the planning commission’s work.
Aldermen also OK’d a new noise ordinance. Under the newordinance, City Attorney Joe Fernald said, a permit would berequired when someone plans to use a sound system.
“That would have to be permitted,” Fernald said. “The permit tomerely be on the sidewalk would be done away with on aconstitutional basis.”
At the last board meeting, Fernald said freedom of speech,including religious messages, may not be infringed.
Prior to the meeting, the Rev. Kendall Boutwell was denied theopportunity to videotape the portion of the public meetingregarding the noise ordinance. Several months ago, Boutwell, pastorof Celebration Church, questioned the city’s permit requirement forsidewalk sermons.
Fernald said the meetings are televised and a copy could be madeavailable to Boutwell.