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Pinckneyville council to vote on interim police chief
Friday, January 25, 2008 4:38 PM CST
COUNCIL MEETING

When: 7:30 p.m. Monday

Where: Pinckneyville City Hall

What: The council will vote on a new interim police chief and a search committee for a permanent replacement.


BY ADAM TESTA

THE SOUTHERN


PINCKNEYVILLE —Pinckneyville City Council members will vote on Mayor Joseph Holder’s recommendation for an interim police chief Monday.

Kenny Kelly, an officer with the Pinckneyville Police Department, has been nominated to fill the post beginning Feb. 1. The police chief position will be left empty after the forced retirement of Chief Paul “Buddy” Day, who was asked to retire after Holder and Police Commissioner Martin Beltz completed an internal investigation.

Many citizens, including Tim Simpson who has been placed on the agenda, plan to attend the meeting and present the council with three petitions. One petition calls for Day to retain his post as police chief and the others call for the resignation of Holder and Beltz from their positions, Simpson said.

Though Beltz maintains residency in Pinckneyville, he spends most of his time and works in Galesburg in Knox County, which has been a concern for residents, Simpson said. The petitions bear about 500 signa-tures between them, he said.

“I think when they see a majority of the people signing these petitions they will see how much we care,” said Simpson, who says he voted for both men in the past election.

Holder said he’s “mystified by this whole thing” and questions the motives of many of those disagreeing with his opinions. He said that within a month of taking office earlier this year a group of citizens were complaining about the enforcement of city codes and ordinances. Now, the same individuals are protesting his decision to make changes in the department failing to take this action, he said.

“I have no credibility until I can get codes enforced in this town or else I look like an idiot,” Holder said.

Other opponents of his decision seem to individuals who lost races in the past election, and these people “for whatever reason can’t seem to put it behind them.”

In regards to the resignation petitions, Holder said people would see a different view of things if they were granted their wish.

“If they don’t want the present council to run this city, the state will run the city because it will be insol-vent and the bondholders will run the utilities because they’ll foreclose,” he said.

Holder has also recommended the creation of a search committee for a new chief consisting of himself, Beltz, Perry County State’s Attorney David Stanton, Mary Roe and Samuel Fulk.


adam.testa@thesouthern.com

351-5031



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Jess wrote on Jan 30, 2008 9:37 AM:

" "responsibility" is right. Ya gotta do the right thing regardless what others do, even if you feel the council was a bad example Mon. night.
Its tough at that age, hang in there. "

Responsibility wrote on Jan 29, 2008 11:04 PM:

" Attn:young people...so does this mean that if your bored then that excuses you to run around tearing up the town. If these are your beliefs then you have a rude awakening in life. Didnt your parents teach you anything? Why dont you come up with an idea to entertain or a business? You will learn it takes maoney and a business plan. Since when did it become the councils place to entertain people. Start your own organization with your peers.. do something worth doing!!! "

hillbillys wrote on Jan 29, 2008 10:52 PM:

" Some of the citizens in this town crack me up. I wonder what the hillbillys thats throwing their fits would do if they were trying to get that city back in financial stability and take the responsibility of the safety of the citizens. Why dont they be part of puting their city back together, seems they would get further and quicker, hmmm just seems you cant make em all happy can you?! "

Jessica wrote on Jan 29, 2008 8:26 PM:

" Okay, once again, let me clarify this here. Dad has come into a mess and is doing his best cleaning it up he spends EVERY NIGHT AND DAY working on things for the city to make it better... You do realize all the new businesses coming in (ex. car dealerships and other things that have not been made public) have been his doing. Not only does he run a business with 2 locations and several employees, he has a town and still does an excellent job. and as for "Young People" stating something about money... what money? the town has no money and we have no money, our family never has. Everyone needs to get their facts straight.
When you are in a management position there is no room for compassion, you have to do what you can do to make things run smoothly and successfully.

"

whoa just a minute wrote on Jan 28, 2008 5:34 PM:

" Now all the legal eagles that spout about Merit Boards must know that a Chief of Police is appointed by the Mayor with favor of the counsel. It has nothing to do with the Merit Systems. The Chief is empowered by the Mayor and the rest of the Department is under the control of the Police Commisioner and the board. The current Chief Day is or was a worker at will with no protection. Had he of had a contract or had been accused of misconduct, that is another matter. Since he is simply under the control of the Mayor, he can be replaced at any time. With or without the approval of the board. "

just another minute please wrote on Jan 28, 2008 5:26 PM:

" let us all take into account the mess joe holder took on. we all agree that the system was in a big mess. what would you do? there is no more time for bandaids we need a real plan to fix this mess before ther is no more p'ville for our children. "

young people wrote on Jan 26, 2008 7:15 PM:

" here's a suggestion, try to involve as many young adults as possible. They take no interest at all with the issues in the town. The young ones will have the new ideas that can fine tuned by the elders who have experience. Someone needs to get them involved as much as possible. Maybe if the town ever did anything for them they might take notice and stop desroying the town, following in the footsteps of you, and learn that it doesn't take that many people to make a huge difference in a small community. Just teach them to do the right thing, not just what certain people with money and a name want. "

concerned wrote on Jan 26, 2008 6:17 AM:

" WATCH YOUR BACK KENNY KELLEY,YOU ARE A GREAT GUY SO YOU WILL BE NEXT YO GO "

Watching you, wrote on Jan 26, 2008 12:49 AM:

" Holder said he's "mystified by this whole thing". His comments says it all, he has no clue. He is not in touch with Pville citizens,(he must be on Mars) Holder has to go! His credibility is already GONE, his actions & decisions are in poor judgement, compassion, knowledge & most important what the people want & expect from our city leader & that is to listen to the citizens that elected him and the bozos sitting at the council table.
Mr Holder think about this one, if you and your lawyer (Siebert) can, State Statute requires a city with population of 5000 or more to have a Police Merit Board, excuse me where are they at??? There was a Merit Board in place in the late 90's and with the following councils.
Before you create "a search committee for a new chief" of somemore of your cronnies you are mandated to have the Police Merit Board, think about that one! That Board is in charge of the Police Dept.
Another ZINGER for Holder! What happens to the Mayor with 2 strikes against him when he is in violation of State Statutes and Bylaws?? One for the discharge of Chief Buddy Day without Council approval and not having a Police Merit Board. Siebert it is your turn, you have shown your incompetence for failing to muzzle the mayor on willfull disregard of State Statutes but I believe that you just don't know any better, how sad for you. "

citizen wrote on Jan 25, 2008 7:05 PM:

" (eyes glazed over) all I have to say to Joe is.....HUH?
Because some citizens complained ..you are now firing the police chief, at age 57, whom has been employed in this dept. for over 30 years.
That's like killing a fly with a sledge-hammer. Isn't that over reacting a bit?
Don't worry about the making yourself look like an idiot part. To Late. "


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