POAG EXECUTIVE MINUTES - March 2002:      

The Executive Committee of the Peace Officers’ Association of Georgia, Inc. held a meeting March 6, 2002, following a 10 A.M. meeting and lunch with officials of Miller Brewing and the Committee to prevent underage drinking and deaths on the highways.  The meeting was held in Room 219B, Georgia Public Safety Training Center, Forsyth, Georgia.   Committee members attending included President Wayne Avery, Vice President Harry Colbert, Board Members Homer Bryson and Keith Moran, Legislative Chairman Bob Brown, Secretary-Treasurer John Conley, Public Relations Director Ken Suddeth and Executive Director Marion Conley.   Attorney Frank Childs and Chaplain Jimmy Waters were unable to attend. Visitors included: Jane and W. R. Harber.  Jan Ursitti, Birdie June Kennedy Leopold, and Garry Moore were in attendance as well at the previous meeting with the Miller officials. 

The meeting was called to order and a welcome given to all in attendance by President Wayne Avery.   

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

President Avery read a letter the office had received from Georgia Veterinary Medical Association presenting a grant to an undetermined service dog organization.  The opinion of the Committee was that some appropriate department would respond to the request for an application for a grant to receive this dog. 

            President Avery reported he has been “fine tuning” his Power Point Presentation and when it is completed he will be forwarding a disk of same to all.  He also asked that Bibb County citizen Barron Jones be awarded an Honorary Life Membership in the Association.  A motion was made by Bob Brown, seconded by John Conley and passed to award this worthy citizen who staunchly supports law enforcement an honorary life membership in POAG.   

            President Avery voiced his feelings that the previous meeting with Miller officials was most productive and thanked District Director Sammy Murphy for arranging this partnership with Miller. 

            The previous meeting with Miller officials had decided to target Tattnall County High School, a high school in Bibb County and Muscogee County for “Safe Night Out – Prom Night”.  This venture will be a collaborative effort between Miller Brewing, POAG, the local school systems, local civic clubs, parents and teens in an effort to make prom night, 2002 fun but alcohol free.  The teens will actually plan prom night but Miller and POAG will award the class from $2,500-$3,000 to be used to plan their chosen activities for that night, completely alcohol free.  POAG will keep detailed records of their endeavors and each of the targeted classes will keep detailed records of their efforts and expenditures so that an accurate picture will emerge showing how this program can be planned and successfully implemented.  Another meeting was scheduled for March 21, 2002.  The meeting will convene at 10 A. M. in the Board room of the Public Safety Training Center, Forsyth.  At this meeting the targeted schools will bring proposals on how they plan to use the funds awarded them to successfully have an alcohol free, fun filled prom night.  School officials, parents and students from the three schools will be invited to attend this meeting.  Miller presented POAG with a check for $10,000 to be used to help insure the success of this planned nights’ activities.   

            Legislative Chairman Bob Brown reported that the POA&B bill that would allow a recipient of funds to work full time and continue to draw retirement had passed the Senate and was now going to the House Retirement Committee.  This was a completely unexpected turn of events. 

            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 at the Ramada Inn, I-475 and U. S. 80 on Eisenhower.  The tournament is planned for Oakview Country Club, Macon, Georgia.  The fee would be $40 per golfer with a 4 man scramble being planned. 

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