The Executive Committee of the Peace Officers’ Association of Georgia, Inc. held a meeting at 10 A. M., January 22, 2004, at the POAG office, Reidsville, Georgia.  The site of the meeting had been changed due to the funeral of former secretary-treasurer Levy C. Miller being held in Reidsville this date.  Committee members attending included Vice President Keith Moran, Board Members Gary Hill and Jimmy Jones, Secretary-Treasurer John Conley, and Executive Director Marion Conley.  President Homer Bryson, Legislative Chairman Bob Brown, Attorney Frank Childs and Chaplain Jimmy Waters were unable to attend. Visitors included Mike Fordham, Ken Suddeth and Mickey Pearce. 

The meeting was called to order and a welcome given all in attendance by Vice President Keith Moran.  Reidsville Mayor Jackie Trim welcomed all to Reidsville and gave the invocation.  Vice President Moran led the Pledge of Allegiance.  

A motion was made by Jimmy Jones, seconded by Gary Hill and passed to approve the minutes and financial report from December, 2003. 

The fundraising by Emergency Services, Inc. was reported as doing well.  However, in response to a question about local law enforcement being notified when their area would be called, it was reported that there was no way to let these areas know when their locale would be called as these calls were made at random. 

A discussion ensued on the expiration of the dues of POAB Board Member Billy Hancock.  According to the Official Code of Georgia, POAG recommends a State, County and City appointment to this Board.  A motion was made by Gary Hill, seconded by Jimmy Jones and passed to recommend to Governor Sonny Perdue the names of Major Mickey Edward Pearce, Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, Chief Deputy Jesse Carson Knight of Laurens County Sheriff’s Department and Cherokee County Sheriff Roger Garrison for appointment to this position. 

A copy of a letter from G.B.I. Director Vernon Keenan regarding training for the convention was given to each committee person to read.  The Association wishes to go the record as being most appreciative to Director Keenan, Special Agent Michael Fordham and the G. B. I. for their assistance and work in organizing the training for the convention.  Several topics were discussed with all the Committee persons being asked to think of someone as the keynote speaker for the Monday afternoon training session of four hours.  This speaker needs to be a moving, entertaining and yet informative speaker on a training issue.  Hopefully the entire schedule of training can be completed at the next meeting.  Keith volunteered to try to get the schedule, once it is completed, in the Sheriff’s publication so that they can be made aware of the topics being offered.  We would also like to make the Chiefs aware of these topics.

            It was decided to plan the pistol match for Tuesday morning again this year, have the Hot Pursuit 5K run on Sunday afternoon and the golf tournament on Monday morning.  Mickey Pearce and Bibb County Sheriff’s Department again volunteered to handle these three events for us. 

            The motorcycle run was discussed with no decision being made on whether to have this run or not again.  Each person will work on trying to get assistance with this run. 

            Vice President Moran relayed to the Committee that the meeting with the Chief’s Association was delayed but he will try to reschedule the trip for the summer conference. 

            Secretary-Treasurer John Conley brought up for discussion the position the Committee wished to assume on whether to accept political ads or not.  After some discussion of the pros and cons it was decided to leave this position as it has been in the past, namely, if a candidate or their representative contacts the office wishing to advertise, we will accept the ad.  However, the office will solicit no political ads as this could possibly be viewed as endorsement of a particular candidate. 

            The convention meals were discussed.  Pabst Blue Ribbon has offered to feed one meal for the delegates.  Gary Hill offered to check with Big Bad Wolf Barbeque and see if they could again provide their services as reasonably as they did at Jekyll Island.  If so, we would ask them to cater the Monday night meal, have a cold cut luncheon Tuesday at lunch which Bibb County will help us with and have catfish broiled by the Pabst Blue Ribbon people Tuesday night. 

            Entertainment was discussed with Jimmy Jones being asked to obtain prices for Celebration to perform Monday and Tuesday nights. 

            The issue of raising benefits and dues were discussed.  Jimmy Jones had contacted all his 100% departments he had been asked to contact and none of them had a problem with the increase, Keith Moran had encountered no problems with his list.  However, the balance of the 100% departments had not been heard from so a decision on this was delayed. 

            Gary Hill offered to contact Dr. Bobby E. Smith with F. O. R. T. E. Foundation and see if he has already scheduled his speaking engagements for September, 2005.  A decision on following through with this action was delayed until a corporate sponsor could be sought and a commitment obtained.  Gary reported he had written Captain Coker of the Georgia State Patrol again asking for the driving and shooting simulators to be at the 2004 convention in Macon.  Captain Coker had reported to him that the driving simulator may be taken over by the police academy but hopefully it would be no problem. 

            Gary also reported on the serious condition of Trooper Kevin Boyles 20-month-old child.  The Committee asked Gary to keep them posted on this situation so that it could be ascertained if there was something POAG could physically do to help with this situation. 

            Jimmy Jones had brought with him a 24 cart gold Chipper golf club.  This club could be engraved with the name of the owner. Jimmy suggested that perhaps we could sell tickets on this club at the Spring Golf Tournament and the fall convention with the club being given to the lucky winner at the golf tournament in September.  Marion will check with Attorney Frank Childs on the legality of doing this. 

            POAG wishes to go on record as being totally opposed to HB1185 as we see this bill being very detrimental to the Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement.  This bill would, in essence, require the Department of Natural Resources’ rangers etc. to have the landowner’s permission or probable cause to go on private land.  This bill would also apply to boats. 

            The February meeting is scheduled for February 20, 2004, 10 A. M., outside Senate Chambers, State Capitol, Atlanta, Georgia.  The Senate and House will honor our “Officers of the Year” at this time. 

            A motion was made by Jimmy Jones, seconded by Gary Hill and passed to adjourn to lunch.