POAG EXECUTIVE MINUTES - July 2002:   

            The Executive Committee of the Peace Officers Association of Georgia, Inc. held a meeting at 10 A. M., July 9, 2002 at the POAG office in Reidsville, Georgia.  Committee members attended included President Wayne Avery, Board Members Keith Moran, Secreatary-Treasurer John Conley, Legislative Chairman Bob Brown, Executive Director Marion Conley, and Public Relations Director Ken Suddeth , and Vice President Jimmy Waters were unable to attend.   Visitors included Ronnie McCall, Joy Waters, Hilary Cheney, Laniey Odum, Andy Waters, Arnie Jones, Sheriff Quinton Rush, Kenny Clark, Paul DeLoach, Sammy Murphy and Michael Moses. 

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

            Ronnie McCall, a friend of POAG who continues to work closely with the office on the promotion for “Alcohol Free Prom Night” and the prevention of underage drinking presented personalized letters from Senator Zell Miller to Joy Waters, Hilary Cheney and Lainey Odum, rising Seniors from Tattnall County High School.  These three young women had planned, promoted and carried out the truly successful “Alcohol Free Prom Night” for Tattnall County High School in the spring.  Mr. McCall also presented personalized letters from Senator Miller and Tattnall County Deputy and School Resource Officer Arnie Jones and Sheriff Quinton Rush of Tattnall County.  Joy Waters read the letter each of the three girls received from Senator Miller praising them for their successful efforts, leadership and taking a stand against a problem that cannot be ignored even though that stand may not be the popular action to take. 

            After the departure of the above group, the Committee and visitors were pleased to communicate with our Chaplin Jimmy Waters via conference telephone call.  After learning Brother Jimmy and his wife were slowly improving from both having had heart surgery at the same time, Brother Jimmy gave the invocation. 

            A motion was made by Bob Brown, seconded by Keith Moran and passed to approve the minutes and financial report from June 2002. 

            President Avery gave a full report on the actions of the Indemnification Commission’s denial of the $75,000 benefits to slain Sheriff Elect Derwin Brown’s family.  The Commission had reached the same conclusion the Memorial Wall Committee had reached in initially denying the right for Sheriff Elect Brown’s name to go on the Memorial Wall, namely that Sheriff Elect Brown was not a sworn, certified peace officer at the time of his tragic death.  However, Sheriff Elect Brown’s family appealed the decision of the Indemnification Commission to abide by the original decision.  Consequently Sheriff Derwin Brown’s family will be given the $75,000 by the state Indemnification Commission.  It was pointed out that the Public Safety Committee had overridden the original decision of the Memorial Wall Committee and Sheriff Elect Derwin Brown’s name be placed on the Memorial Wall. 

Mr. Paul DeLoach with Miller Brewing thanked POAG for the tremendous success Miller Brewing and POAG experienced with the “Alcohol Free Prom Night” in Bibb and Tattnall County.  As Mr. DeLoach stated “Seeds have been planted that this night can be a fun filled night by our youth without alcohol involved”.  Now, hopefully these seed will continue to multiply across the nation and result in a nation of beautiful young people who are continuing to enjoy life because no alcohol was involved in a tragic accident on prom night. 

Following Mr. DeLoach’s statements a motion was made by Bob Brown,  seconded by Keith Moran and passed to award honorary life membership to these girls from Tattnall County and the one girl from Bibb County that were so instrumental in planting this garden of success. 

Legislative Chairman Bob Brown wished to go on record as complimenting President Avery for his stand with the Indemnification Commission.  Chairman Brown’s opinion was a  unanimous opinion of all the Committee.  The entire Committee felt the final decision reached could possibly have far-reaching legal implications. 

President Avery communicated to the Committee that in addition to the $300.00 sponsorship of the Old Timers Breakfast by Su and BO Lee of Macon, they have graciously agreed to furnish the soft drinks for our convention also.  As a small token of thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Lee, a motion was made by Bob Brown, seconded by Keith Moran and passed to award honorary life memberships to Mr. and Mrs. Lee. 

President Avery also reported he had negotiated with Satterfield’s of Macon and was successful in getting the price of the Tuesday night meal reduce to $8.25 per plate.  Homer Bryson reported he will be able to acquire the shrimp for the Low Country Boil  being planned by the Bibb County Sheriff’s Department and Keith Moran reported he could obtain the thirty-five loaves of bread needed for the lunch on Tuesday.  It was decided to ask each District Director if they could acquire $50-$100 from potential banks, businesses etc. to be used in purchasing the deli meats for the lunch Tuesday. 

One of Callan’s ad sales representatives is presently running for the House of Representatives.  He had received a letter from the Police Benevolent Association of Georgia, Inc. inviting him to meet with a committee of their members so that they could make a recommendation to their membership.  On this letter, it was stated “Please note, PBA procedures prohibit Association support of candidates who do not meet with the committee.  The sales representative was told that the office could not advise him how to answer the question whether he would support PBA having a voting member of P.O.S.T. Council to make an educated decision on this question. 

            Board Member Keith Moran was happy to report that Liberty County had budgeted for Liberty County Sheriff’s Department to once again become 100% POAG.   

            A motion was made by Bob Brown, seconded by Keith Moran and passed to award an active life membership to Laurens County Deputy Carson Knight.  A motion was made by John Conley, seconded by Bob Brown to award Ken Brown, Chief of Georgia Southern University Police Department a life membership.  The motion passed.  

            The August meeting was called for August 21, 2002 in Macon.  The site will be set later.  The meeting will convene at 10 A.M. 

            A motion was made by Bob Brown and seconded by Keith Moran to adjourn.  Accordingly, the meeting was adjourned.