POAG EXECUTIVE MINUTES - February 2002:     

The Executive Committee of the Peace Officers’ Association of Georgia, Inc. held a meeting at 10 A. M., February 20, 2002 at the Liberty County Regional Jail, Hinesville, Georgia.  Committee members attending included President Wayne Avery, Vice President Harry Colbert, Board Members Homer Bryson and Keith Moran,  Legislative Chairman Bob Brown, Public Relations Director Ken Suddeth and Executive Director Marion Conley.   Secretary-Treasurer John Conley was unable to attend because of sickness, Attorney Frank Childs and Chaplain Jimmy Waters were unable to attend. Visitors included: Jane and W. R. Harber, Gary Hill, Bill Hitchens and Cecil Bass. 

The meeting was called to order and a welcome given to all in attendance by President Wayne Avery.   President Avery thanked Keith Moran for hosting the group for the meeting and also lunch. 

Homer Bryson gave the invocation. 

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by President Avery. 

A motion was made by Bob Brown, seconded by Harry Colbert and passed to approve the minutes and financial report from January, 2002. 

President Avery presented the video of his Power Point presentation as he has developed the project thus far.  A discussion followed the presentation. 

Mr. W. R. Harber again presented his strong desire for the Committee to go to Helen, Georgia, hold their monthly meeting and view their accommodations for a fall convention.  President again told Mr. Harber at some point the Committee would go to Helen but he simply, at this point in time, could not tell him when. 

President Avery reported he has been communicating with Mike Callan of Emergency Services, Inc. regarding the dialog to be used in the residential fund-raising program.  He relayed that Mike would be sending a sample of the transcript the callers would be using.  President Avery announced he and Harry Colbert would be going to Minneapolis for an on-site visit with Mike. 

Board Member Keith Moran was happy to report he already has a handgun sponsored by Fussell Bonding to be given in a drawing at the pistol match, fall convention. 

Legislative Chairman Bob Brown announced that the POA&B bill was “dead” for this session of the Legislature.  He also reported that an actuarial study had recommended no pay raises for retirees this past January.  This is because of the tremendous influx new members.  According to Bob nearly all bills involving the expenditure of monies were “dead” this session of the Legislature.

             Vice President Harry Colbert reminded all that the spring golf tournament was scheduled for April 8, 2002 with the Executive Committee meeting to be held the following morning.  The tournament is planned for Oakview Country Club, Macon, Georgia.  The fee would be $40 per golfer with a 4 man scramble being planned. 

            Marion Conley reported the Honorary Life Membership plaque and letter had been forwarded Mayor Rudolph Giuliani.  An idea presented by one of POAG’s members to have a car tag (license plate) for peace officers was presented.  It was thought that a large number of buyers had to be guaranteed the Revenue Department before this idea could be implemented.  The office will check with the Revenue Department on this suggestion.  Marion Conley reported the illness of District Director Sammy Murphy.  However, Sammy is recuperating nicely and has planned a meeting with Mr. Paul DeLoach of Miller Brewing regarding alcohol/drug free prom night across the state.  The meeting is planned for March 6, 2002, 10 A. M., Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth.  Sammy had reported to the office he has the $10,000 check from Miller to be used for the alcohol/drug free prom night project.  Marion further reported that Mr. DeLoach plans to use the project used by POAG as a model project for the rest of the nation on promoting alcohol/drug free prom night.  This was great news to the Committee as this will allow POAG to make a very positive statement to our young people.  Mr. Harber told the Committee that if they wished television exposure on this night, he has a personal contact with a TV station in Atlanta.   

            Since the date of March 6^th has been planned for the meeting with Miller, the Committee planned to have the Miller meeting at 10 A.M., followed by lunch and then the Executive Committee would have their March meeting that afternoon.  This would allow the Committee to act on any needed courses of action recommended by the previous meeting. 

            A motion was made by Bob Brown, seconded by Harry Colbert to adjourn to the lunch prepared by Keith Moran and his associates.  Accordingly, the meeting was adjourned.