POAG EXECUTIVE MINUTES - October 2005:

The Executive Committee of the Peace Officers’ Association of Georgia, Inc. held a meeting at 10 A. M., October 11, 2005, at the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Training Center, Augusta, Georgia.   Committee members attending included President Gary Hill, Vice President Jimmy Jones, Board Member Thomas A. Alley, Legislative Chairman Homer Bryson, Secretary-Treasurer John Conley, and Executive Director Marion Conley.  Board Member Mike Fordham is deployed and was unable to attend.  Chaplain Rick Lanford and Attorney Frank Childs were also unable to attend.   

President Gary Hill called the meeting to order. 

Vice President Jimmy Jones gave the invocation. 

President Gary Hill led the Pledge of Allegiance.   

A motion was made by Homer Bryson, seconded by Thomas Alley and passed to approve the minutes from September, 2005.  Since the monthly bank statement had not been received from Minnesota, the September financial statement was not available.  Since all convention expenses are not in yet, there could be no final accounting of convention expenses. 

            In the previous meeting, the Committee had decided to give the states of Alabama, Mississippi and Texas up to $1,000 each (based on need) to law enforcement needs during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.  President Hill has been attempting to reach a legitimate contact in these three states since the last meeting but so far has been unsuccessful primarily because of telephone service being down.  He has been told that the devastation around Orange County, Texas could be seen on www.klvi.com and www.s.e.texas.com web sites.  Gary reported he would continue to reach a contact in these states.  Gary also reported that Dr. Kevin Gilmartin from Arizona gives an eight-hour class on Emotional Survival that is supposedly really good.  Dr. Gilmartin could possibly be a convention speaker.  It was also discussed that we could invite Governor Sonny Perdue and/or Retired Coach Erk Russell as keynote convention speakers. 

            A pay raise for John and Marion was discussed.  Secretary Conley relayed that the two of them had only received an nineteen percent increase in the last twelve years.  A motion was made by Gary Hill to raise each of them 10%. This motion was seconded by Jimmy Jones and passed.  President Hill further made a motion that these two salaries be evaluated each October.  Jimmy Jones also seconded this motion, with the motion passing. 

            The sites for the 2006 convention were briefly discussed.  President Hill asked that the Committee wait until next month to make a final decision.  The Committee had met the previous evening with a representative from the Augusta Towers.  She was asked some questions that she needed to discuss with her Manager and get back with us about.

In the meantime, Secretary Conley will see if Tybee Island can host the November meeting and if not, perhaps Gwinnett County Convention Bureau can. 

            The POST map of the state with the District Directors from each POST district was discussed.  Since the ABAC District is so large, the Committee decided to name two District Directors for the ABAC District; namely, Sammy Murphy and Jimmy Sims. 

            Board Member Thomas Alley had received a letter from a non-member that Mr. Alley read to the Committee.  This letter had confused POAG and POAB.  The Committee suggested to Board Member Alley that he contact this officer and tell him POAG would gladly welcome his membership as he is certainly eligible for membership with us.  However, the Committee suggested he contact his fellow constituents and they in turn contact the respective State Legislators about the other matters brought forth in the letter. 

            President Hill then read a letter from a Past President who had evidently been informed that the 2006 convention was planned for Helen, Georgia. This member was very opposed to holding a convention in Helen.  President Hill will get back with this Past President. 

            Secretary Conley reported to the Committee that former POAG Attorney Frank Edwards had bequeathed to the Association $500.00.  After a brief discussion, a motion was made by Jimmy Jones, seconded by Homer Bryson and passed to begin an annual $500.00 Frank Edwards Scholarship as long as the Association is financially able to do so.  Mrs. Frank Edwards will be invited to the 2006 convention in hopes that she can present the first check. 

            Before adjourning to lunch prepared by the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, Homer Bryson gave a slide presentation on some of the destruction by Hurricane Katrina.

This presentation was most interesting. 

            The next meeting will be held at the Ocean Plaza Beach Resort, Oceanfront at 15^th Street, Tybee Island, Georgia on November 11, 2005 at 10 A. M.  The Committee will meet with Mary Pat Kaloenne at 4 P. M.,October 10, 2005.