The Red Boiling Springs City Council did not hire a new full time patrol officer at their regular meeting last Thursday night, September 14, although two qualified applicants were ready to go to work.

About mid-way into the meeting, and without prelude or a call from the mayor, council member Tommy Spivey made a motion that Joe Ferguson be hired onto the Police Department.

“I think we oughta' discuss this before we jump off the deep end,” recommended councilman Ray Bilbrey. Yet without much discussion, the motion failed... ...on a roll call vote, with Bilbrey, Roark, and Whitley voting no; Hollis and Spivey voting yes. Council member Bobby Etheridge was absent.

After the motion failed, Bilbrey invited Chief of Police Terry Tuck to speak and make his recommendation, as was the standard procedure before hiring new officers.

Tuck recommended Anthony Warner for the position.

“I've been over all the applications, and I think Warner would be the best person to fill our needs on this job,” said Tuck.

A motion was made by Bilbrey to hire James Anthony Warner. The motion failed, with Spivey and Hollis voting no; Bilbrey, Roark, and Whitley voting yes. Mayor Kenneth Hollis, who declined to vote, was called to duty by Bilbrey.

“You were elected to serve this town, and I recommend that you stand up for what you believe and vote,” Bilbrey told Hollis, pointing a finger. “We didn't elect you just to keep that chair warm.”

Tuck recommended a special called meeting to elect an officer, since officers are now working overtime. A motion by Roark to have a special meeting next Tuesday, September 19, at 6 p.m. was carried.

Other business to be discussed at the meeting will be the purchase of a utility truck for Chad Owen, and a report from water superintendent Brian Long about the possibility of a state bid covering a small pick-up. Owen is presently using his own vehicle, at a cost to the city of about $200 a month.

Owen was also approved for a $1.00 an hour raise, as he has completed the mandatory 90 day probation period for new city employees.

In other business, the council:

-passed a motion allowing Ray Long to take his girlfriend to work in Lafayette as needed, as she was in a wreck and is temporarily unable to drive. Hollis pointed out that Long often picks up needed items for the city when he's in Lafayette.

-discussed a proposal by Mayor Hollis to take the #1 Fire Engine and turn it into a garbage truck, by pulling everything off of it and buying a garbage truck bed. The garbage truck in use now, Hollis reported, was down at least once a week, for at least a day or two. The council voted to have the mayor look into the cost of a garbage truck bed.

-asked Water Superintendent Brian Long to look into the cost of a sweeper to pick up mown grass in the park and cemetery. Long is to report back at the next regular meeting.

-heard a report from Mayor Hollis that this year's Antique Car Show went ‘smooth as silk'. Car Show representatives mentioned the possibility of a two day show next year.

-accepted the resignation of Jackson Mungle from the Fire Department, and voted to put Timmy Freeman on Fire Department probation for 90 days.

-heard a report from Mayor Hollis about the annexation project. The Cookeville office, said Hollis recommends annexing property along Highway 151 from the city limits just south of The Thomas house to the by-pass. The recommendation will be made to the municipal planning commission.

A special called meeting of the council will be held next Tuesday, September 19 at 6 p.m. for the purpose of hiring a patrol officer, and to discuss the purchase of a small utility truck.