The Executive Committee of the Peace Officers’ Association of Georgia, Inc. held a meeting at 3 P. M., March 22, 2001 at the Jekyll Inn, Jekyll Island, Georgia. Committee members attending included President Bill Hitchens, Vice President Wayne Avery, Board Members Harry Colbert and Homer Bryson, Secretary-Treasurer John Conley, Legislative Chairman Bob Brown and Executive Director Marion Conley. Public Relations Director Jimmy Jones, Attorney Frank Childs and Chaplain Jimmy Waters were unable to attend. Visitors included: Ken Suddeth, Jim Redmon, Sammy Murphy, Paul DeLoach, Harold and Pat Groover.

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

Vice President Wayne Avery gave the invocation.

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

District Director Sammy Murphy introduced Mr. Paul DeLoach with Miller Brewing. Mr. DeLoach explained how Miller Brewing wished to partner with POAG in launching an aggressive public relations/legislative effort to remove/reduce drunk driving on our public highways. This program would also include similar programs to eliminate underage drinking. Miller Brewing wishes to partnership with law enforcement in brainstorming and then implementing these ideas to the public on methods to remove/reduce these unfortunate and irresponsible sociological problems. A motion was made by Wayne Avery and seconded by Harry Colbert to form a committee to work with Miller Brewing on this most worthwhile project. The motion passed. All in attendance agreed that by all working together a workable and helpful solution could be found to the problems.

Ms. Michelle Blackstone with Jekyll Inn introduced herself as well as Ms. Amy Rayburn, caterer with Jekyll Inn. These two individuals promised total cooperation and assistance to help insure a successful convention for our organization.

President Hitchens reported PayPal was moving along nicely. This will be the program whereby you may renew your membership, purchase POAG items etc. on-line. The web master hopes to come to Reidsville and digitally film our articles for sale in the very near future.

Legislative Chairman Bob Brown briefly reported on several legislative bills of interest. One of these bills would allow retired troopers to go back to work full time as radio operators or license examiners without forfeiting their POA&B check. Bob reported he had also talked with Ryan Powell of POST concerning the giving one year free membership to each POST certified academy graduate. POST is reluctant to release names etc. Therefore, Bob and Bill with get with the appropriate party at POST and attempt to arrive at a workable solution.

The amount of the vendor fee for the 2001 convention was discussed. A motion was made by Bob Brown, seconded by Wayne Avery and passed to let the fee be $100.00 this year.

Wayne Avery reported he is making progress on obtaining POST certified instructors for the training at the convention. Tentatively, Wayne has arranged for Sgt. Carl Fletcher to teach gangs on Sunday, meths labs will be taught Monday and Assistant Bibb County District Attorney Kirby Wincey will teach Drug Prosecution and Constitutional Updates on Tuesday. POAG will sponsor twelve hours of POST certified hours at this year’s convention.

Marion Conley gave a report on meeting with L. D. Park concerning offering POAG membership and others an opportunity to make yourcommunitynet.com their internet service provider for only $19.95 a month whether the person wishes filtered or unfiltered service. This service would provide all amenities afforded by other major internet service providers but would allow monies to come back into a tax exempt organization such as POAG. Also, POAG would make monies spent by any of our subscribers who may shop at the more than 500 shopping stores available on this site. The Committee was asked to possibly designate a project the acquired funds from this source would go toward. The Committee decided to postpone this decision to allow time for contemplation of this idea. Marion also reported a member’s concern that persons coming on Tuesday of the convention to vote are not eligible for a door prize. The Committee decided to give a different ticket to each person going in to vote. Then a winning door prize ticket would be drawn from the box containing corresponding stubs. Marion also showed the Committee the beautiful new t-shirt featuring the new eagle emblem. These shirts will sell for $20 for an extra-large, $21 for a xx large and $22 for a xxx large shirt. The prices are higher on this shirt because the emblem is in four colors. Also, the shirt is only available in white since the emblem would not show up on a blue shirt.

Ladies Auxiliary President Pat Groover reported she is making progress on scheduling the ladies auxiliary activities for the convention. A motion was made by John Conley and seconded by Homer Bryson to give the ladies $300 to purchase door prizes. This was the amount given last year. The motion passed.

President Hitchens reminded all the April meeting will be the day following the spring golf tournament. The meeting will be held April 10, 2001, 10 A. M. at the Ramada Inn, I-475 and U. S. 80 in Macon.

Sammy Murphy invited all to come to Terrell County to the Southpoint Plantation for the May meeting. Contingent on the availability, the meeting will be May 11, 2001. Sammy will get directions to the office when the date and place are confirmed.

After a motion from Wayne Avery and a second from Bob Brown the meeting was adjourned.