POAG EXECUTIVE MINUTES - August 2002: 

             The Executive Committee of the Peace Officers Association of Georgia, Inc. held a meeting at 10 A. M., August 20, 2002, at the Higgs Building of the Bibb County Sheriff's Department Hawthorne Street, Macon Georgia.  Committee members attending included President Wayne Avery, Vice President Harry Colbert, Board Members Keith Moran and Homer Bryson, Secretary-Treasurer John Conley, Legislative Chairman Bob Brown, Attorney Frank Childs, and Public Relations Director Ken Suddeth.  Executive Director Marion Conley and Chaplin Jimmy Waters were unable to attend.  Visitors included: Gary Hill, Ed  Richards, Sammy Murphy, Paul DeLoach, Morgan and Joyce Key, Rick Lanford and Timothy Lundell. 

The meeting was called to order and a welcome given all in attendance by President Wayne Avery.  The invocation was given by Chaplain Rick Lanford.  President Avery led the Pledge of Allegiance. 

The minutes and financial report from July, 2002, as well as the annual audit report were approved upon a motion from Bob Brown.  The motion was seconded by Homer Bryson and passed. 

Bob Brown recommended that an active life membership be awarded Baldwin County Sheriff Bill Massee.  Keith Moran seconded this motion with the motion passing. 

It was decided to have the regular Old Timers Breakfast of eggs, bacon, sausage, grits, biscuits etc.  A motion to have the usual breakfast was made by Harry Colbert, seconded by Bob Brown and passed.  Fred McConnell and Dave Sparrow of Brown & Williamson had notified the office they would be joining the delegates this year.  Brown & Williamson had given $1,500 towards sponsoring this event. 

Ladies Auxiliary President, Shirley Alley, had given the office a suggestion for the Ladies Auxiliary breakfast at a cost $9.95 and a luncheon at a cost of $13.95.   A motion was made by John Conley, seconded by Harry Colbert and passed to approve this cost for the convention. 

John Conley presented the Program Agreement between Emergency Services, Inc. and POAG for purposes of communicating a program service message and procuring Association sponsors.  This contract had been approved by Attorney Frank Childs.  Bob Brown  made a motion; a second was made by Harry Colbert authorizing the President and the Secretary-Treasurer to sign this agreement.  The motion passed.

A discussion ensued on the nominations that had been received by the office for “Officer of the Year and Meritorious Service”.  A synopsis of all nominees had previously been mailed each member of the Executive Committee.  Truly all nominations Submitted were most worthy of being the recipients.  Finally a motion was made by John Conley, seconded by Bob Brown and passed to award the “Officer of the Year Valor” to Macon Police Department Officer Stewart A. Cronin and Georgia State Patrol Master Trooper Robert Kevin Turner.  A motion was then made by Bob Brown, seconded by Homer Bryson and passed to award the “Officer of the Year for Meritorious Service” to G.B.I. ASAC Janet R. Olivia. 

            Lieutenant Gary Hill with the Georgia State Patrol announced he would be a candidate for the position of Board Member that will become open with Homer Bryson vacating this position to run for Vice President. 

            Member Ed Richards enlightened the Committee on the process of personalized auto tag.  He suggested that the members send in a personalized tag for possible review.  He was advised this would be discussed at the convention.  Ed advised that $2,500 is needed to begin the process and you must have 200 orders to even begin the process.   

            President Avery advised the Committee that a POAG member and Department of Natural Resources, Law Enforcement officer who had been shot by turkey hunter did not meet all the necessary criteria of the Indemnifications Commission to be entitled to receive funds from the Indemnification Commission.  President Avery has talked with Governor Roy Barnes regarding the legislature changing of the stipulations in the determination of whom and to what extent a peace officer is considered disabled in order to receive benefits from the Commission.  President Avery asked that the next President of this Association follow up on this project at the next meeting of the Indemnification Commission.  It was suggested that Bob Brown and Homer Bryson, both employees of the Department of Natural Resources and familiar with the incident, draft a letter to the Governor, and our elected officials with the House and the Senate. 

            A discussion followed on the convention site for 2003.  President Avery discussed with all present the pros and the cons of the three locations that had submitted bids.  Bob Brown made a motion, which was seconded by Homer Bryson to have the 2003 convention at the Jekyll Inn, Jekyll Island.  The motion was passed. 

            Chaplin Rick Lanford volunteered to talk with Brother Jimmy Waters as to whether his health will permit his attendance and participation in the convention.  

            Paul DeLoach with Miller Brewing stated he was glad he and Miller Brewing were association with POAG in our joint program with teens and the elimination of underage drinking by our teens.

            President Avery called the next meeting for September 21, 2002 at the Holiday Inn, Macon, Georgia.  The meeting will convene at 5 P.M.