The Executive Committee of the Peace Officers’ Association of Georgia, Inc. held a meeting at 10:00A.M., June 19, 2001 at the Peace Officers’ Association Office, Reidsville, Georgia.  Committee members attending included President Bill Hitchens, Board Members Harry Colbert, Homer Bryson, Secretary-Treasurer John Conley, Legislative Chairman Bob Brown and Executive Director Marion Conley.  Vice President Wayne Avery, Public Relations Director Jimmy Jones, Attorney Frank Childs and Chaplain Jimmy Waters were unable to attend.  Visitors included:  Sammy Murphy, Quinton Rush, Keith Moran, Gary Hill and Kenny Clark.

President Hitchens called the meeting to order and welcomed all in attendance.

The invocation was given by Quinton Rush.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Bob Brown.

A motion was made by Bob Brown and seconded by Harry Colbert to approve the minutes and financial report from May, 2001.  The motion passed.

District Director Sammy Murphy gave an updated report on the POAG’s partnership with Miller Brewing in the joint venture campaign for responsible drinking and curbing underage drinking.   Mr. DeLoach had advised POAG needs to write Miller a letter agreeing to the partnership and proposing a temporary budget.  It was decided to officially kick off this campaign at the convention at Jekyll Island.  A hospitality room sponsored by POAG and Miller will be set up at the convention to hand our pamphlets, key rings etc. on the project.  Sammy will arrange a committee meeting of the group prior to the July meeting and report the progress of the committee at the meeting.  A motion was made by Bob Brown, seconded by Harry Colbert and passed to initially ask Miller for $5,000 to begin the campaign.  This will hopefully cover some pamphlets, key rings, letterhead, travel, etc. that will be needed initially to begin the massive campaign.

            President Hitchens reported the website is not yet capable of a potential member joining nor an existing member renewing their dues.  However, the web master, Mark Revenew is working on developing this potential.  Also, all merchandise currently available for sale in the office will be available online for purchase.

            A question arose relevant to the granting of one year free membership to academy graduates who did not yet have employment.  According to a previous discussion on graduates who did not yet have employment it was decided to grant these persons an associate membership, at the time employment was secured the individual could return the associate card and be issued an active voting card.

            A motion was made by Bob Brown, seconded by John Conley and passed to dedicate this year’s convention to our Chaplain Jimmy Waters.  Harry Colbert will gather the necessary information to make this a memorable occasion for Brother Jimmy.  A motion was made by Bob Brown, seconded by John Conley and passed to secure an appropriate gift for Brother Jimmy.

The convention was discussed with a few minor revisions being made.

            Life membership awards were discussed.  A motion was made by John Conley, seconded by Bob Brown and passed to honor Tattnall County Sheriff Quinton Rush with an award.  A motion was made by President Bill Hitchens, seconded by Harry Colbert and passed to honor Georgia State Patrol Lieutenant Gary Hill with an award.  A motion was made by Homer Bryson, seconded by John Conley and passed to honor Retired Appling County Sheriff Lewis Parker with an award.  A motion was made by Harry Colbert, seconded by Bob Brown and passed to honor Retired Bibb County Sheriff Department Captain Bill Freeman with an award.  A motion was made by John Conley, seconded by Bob Brown and passed to honor Terry Carter, Xerox of Brunswick with an honorary life member award.  A motion was made by Bob Brown, seconded by Homer Bryson and passed to honor Mrs. Mary Poole, former Ladies Auxiliary President with an honorary life award.  A motion was made by Bob Brown, seconded by Homer Bryson and passed to honor Tattnall County citizen and staunch law enforcement supporter Wayne Dasher with an honorary life award.

            The term for the county seat on the POA&B Fund expires this year.  According to law, POAG needs to submit three names to the Governor for consideration to this appointment.  A motion was made by Bob Brown, seconded by Harry Colbert and passed to submit the names of Laurens County Chief Deputy Carson Knight, Tattnall County Sheriff Quinton Rush and Bibb County Sheriff’s Department Captain Mickey Pearce.

            Homer Bryson has made the necessary arrangements for the flounder dinner to be served Tuesday night at the convention.   Two hundred fifty meals at $10.50 per plate will be prepared.

            A letter of proposal from Computer Network Engineering was given each Committee member.  The proposal estimated it would take forty hours of labor to set up two Access database files on the new computers for our membership records.  The labor would be $125.00 per hour.  Harry Colbert made a motion which was seconded by Bob Brown to table the acceptance of this proposal until the July meeting.  The motion passed.

            John Conley made a motion to implement a Jimmy Waters scholarship fund.  The details of the award would be worked out later.  The announcement of this fund would be made at the convention during the honoring of Brother Jimmy.  The motion was seconded by Harry Colbert and passed.

            President Hitchens introduced Liberty County Chief Deputy Keith Moran to all.  Keith announced he was seeking the position of Board Member at the September convention.

             The July meeting will be held July 19, 2001 at 1 P.M.  This will afford Sammy Murphy’s committee the ability to meet prior to the Executive Committee meeting and then report on their progress.  The August meeting will be August 8, 2001 at the Jekyll Inn, Jekyll Island.  The meeting will convene at 10 A. M.  The September meeting was called for September 22, 2001, at 4 P. M. at the Jekyll Inn, Jekyll Island.

             A motion was made by Harry Colbert to adjourn to the fish lunch prepared by the office staff.  This motion was seconded by Bob Brown and passed.