POAG EXECUTIVE MINUTES - APRIL 2001: 

The Executive Committee of the Peace Officers’ Association of Georgia, Inc. held a meeting at 10 A. M., April 10, 2001 at the Ramada Inn, Macon, Georgia. Committee members attending included President Bill Hitchens, Vice President Wayne Avery, Board Members Harry Colbert and Homer Bryson, Secretary-Treasurer John Conley, Legislative Chairman Bob Brown, Public Relations Director Jimmy Jones, Attorney Frank Childs, Chaplain Jimmy Waters and Executive Director Marion Conley. Visitors included: Ken Suddeth, Jim Redmon, Sammy Murphy, Paul DeLoach, Donna Holcomb, Fred Hayes, Ted Darley, Keith Henry, Morgan and Joyce Key and Mickey Pearce.

President Hitchens called the meeting to order and welcomed all in attendance. President Hitchens expressed thanks to Bibb County Sheriff’s Department and Macon Police Department for the very enjoyable and successful golf tournament the preceding day.

A special welcome was given Chaplain Jimmy Waters. Bro. Jimmy has been missed since suffering a stroke and it was truly great for him to be able to be with the group today. Brother Jimmy followed with the invocation.

Legislative Chairman Bob Brown led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.

Board Member Harry Colbert made a very special presentation to Keith Henry of Milledgeville, Georgia. Mr. Henry was an eyewitness to a chase by Milledgeville Police Department of a suspected kidnapper. When the suspect’s vehicle passed Mr. Henry, he witnessed the suspect stabbing the passenger in the head and also saw the child in the vehicle in great distress. Mr. Henry then sped alongside the suspect, passed him, stopped his vehicle across the roadway, thus blocking the suspect’s escape and allowing the police to apprehend the kidnapper without further incident. As a small token of his tremendous help to law enforcement, POAG gave Mr. Henry an Honorary Life Membership in the Association.

A motion was made by Bob Brown and seconded by Wayne Avery to approve the financial report and minutes from March, 2001. The motion passed.

President Hitchens asked all Committee persons to be thinking of members to put on the Committee with Miller Brewing. He thought perhaps we could ask some of our younger members to serve on this committee to help curb and/or stop irresponsible drinking and underage drinking.

President Hitchens reminded all in attendance the May meeting would be held at SouthPoint Plantation in Terrell County. The meeting is set for May 11, 2001 at 10 A.M.

District Director Sammy Murphy brought maps of the site location and was happy to report that Miller Brewing would be hosting the May meeting.

President Hitchens reported that his son, Billy Hitchens was hoping to be able to get to the POAG office within the next week or so to digitally film the merchandise available for sale in order that these pictures may be placed on the web site.

Legislative Chairman Bob Brown along with President Hitchens gave a report on the success of their meeting with the POST Academy directors. This meeting was an attempt to work our arrangements on the giving of a one year free membership to all POST certified academy graduates. The question arose at this meeting as to whether or not all directors were qualified for membership in POAG since some of the directors are not law enforcement persons but work for the state. After consulting the Constitution, Attorney Frank Childs ruled these directors were eligible for membership. Bob continued to report that the directors were excited about the idea of the giving of one year free membership to the graduates. The director or his designee would give each graduate a letter furnished by POAG extending the invitation to join our Association by simply completing the application and returning it to the office. These applications will be color coded so as to distinguish them from other applications. Frank Rotundo, Executive Director of the Chief’s Association relayed to Bill and Bob that if we would furnish him with these letters, he would be glad to notify all the chief’s of this offer. POST is not allowed to furnish POAG or any other organization names and addresses.

Mickey Pearce reported the tremendous success of the preceding day’s golf tournament. There were seventy-four participants. A heartfelt thanks was expressed to Macon Communications and Miller Brewing for sponsoring the event. A discussion followed on possibly changing the format of the convention golf tournament to a four-man scramble. Mickey pointed out that a sponsor for this tournament is badly needed because of the high prices incurred at Jekyll Island. Bob Brown and Homer Bryson volunteered to work on this problem. Mickey will reserve the course for the September dates. Homer volunteered to reserve the range for September 24, 2001.

Ideas were offered on the entertainment for the convention. Jimmy Jones will get prices on the Fabulous Expression coming back for the Monday night dance. Homer offered to get a price on a local group. "Elvis" could possibly appear Tuesday night.

Wayne Avery reported he has contacted the Ocmulgee Drug Task Force about teaching meth labs at the convention since he has not heard from DEA.

A discussion ensued on replacing the outdated office computers. The dBASE program, which contains the membership files, is so antiquated that many printers today will not even print this program. Bob Brown made a motion which was seconded by Homer Bryson authorizing Marion Conley to buy or lease two computers. Marion will check with the CPA and get his input on whether we would be better to outright buy or lease these computers. Gateway was discussed as a possible source of purchase since the programs could be upgraded and also valuable tech support is offered. This motion passed.

Homer Bryson is diligently working on gift bags for the Ladies Auxiliary.

Marion Conley reported Travelers Insurance has canceled its property insurance proposal to POAG because of lack of member participation.

After a motion from Wayne Avery and a second from Bob Brown the meeting was adjourned.