COUNCILMAN JOHN McCLENDON STATES HE KNOWS WHAT THE PEOPLE WANT
THAT HE HAS HEARD FROM THE PEOPLE
CALL BOTH McCLENDON AND NICHOLS AND MAKE SURE THEY KNOW WHAT YOU WANT
GRACEVILLE FL: Graceville City Councilman Curtis Pinkard realizes who he serves as Councilman. The people of Graceville.
It appears Graceville Mayor Walter Olds, Councilman Terry Nichols, Marshall Davis, and John McClendon have not really accepted they serve the people of Graceville.
Councilman Pinckard attempted to raise the Graceville Police Force from 5 officers to 6 officers tonight. Following his motion Mayor Walter Olds, and Councilman Dr. Terry Nichols, Marshall Davis, and Councilman John McClendon were silent and no one second his motion. So it died.
Councilman Dr. Terry Nichols, a local dentist in Graceville, was asked could he run his dental practice by himself and he said yes. He was also asked how many patients he see’s in a day and he said he did not know. But Councilman Dr. Terry Nichols said he was satisfied the police department could function with only 5 police officers.
Councilman John McClendon stated that only about 2% if the Graceville residents were speaking up about the police department. McClendon said “you know we listen to everybody”. McClendon went on to say “you know what calls you get and all of that, but I know what I need and I know what people have told me”. McClendon said “we need to get back together and stop all of this arguing and fussing and stuff…because I think we made the right decision”.
Councilman Dr. Terry Nichols and Councilman John McClendon feel like they have heard from the people of Graceville and that 5 police officers is enough. They had 7 police officers but the Mayor and three councilman cut the police department to 5. The City Manager was given a raise to $ 97,000.00 a year, but police department cut.
The people in attendance are mad and think the department needs at least 6 officers. One thing in econmic recruitment is a safe and secure city and good schools. And some fear not having local law enforcement protection.
Jackson County Sheriff Donnie Edenfield, I like him and nothing said is critical of him or Jackson County Sheriff Deparment. But Jackson County Florida has 955 square miles according to google. It is 5 miles from Highway 231 where retired Jackson County Sheriff Lou Roberts said there were more problems with the north/south corridor then that east/west corridor.
While Jackson County Sheriff Department has about 75 sworn officers in the entire department, that averaged about 5 on duty on patrol. It is 48 minute response from Sneads to Graceville and 28 minute response from Marianna to Graceville. Several Jackson County Deputies have hit deer while responding to calls.
In six years there has been at least 6 officer involved shootings in Jackson County. With that said, it is dangerous for one officer with backup possibly being 30 minutes or more away. And the citizens who have called and text RSN, and spoke at the meeting, are concerned about not having local law enforcement in Graceville. Yes, it can be done with 5 officers, but you have off days, court days, sick and other issues which causes shortages. And when a officer yells for help, it will not be Mayor Walter Olds, Councilman Dr. Terry Nichols, Marshall Davis, or John McClendon coming and placing their lives on the line with the officers.
It is not a myth, it is reality that law enforcement is dangerous. And society has gotten worse. And a situation can go from calm to full combat in seconds. And the citizens do not feel the Mayor and Council, except Councilman Curtis Pinkard, care and are looking after their safety.
At the top of the article is Councilman Dr. Terry Nichols and Councilman John McClendon’s phone numbers. They said they have heard from the citizens and what they want. Please call and express your opinion. They are each public servants, not royalty and there to serve you, the citizens of Graceville Florida.
