In a short meeting December 12, the Winnfield City Council approved several hiring requests from the City Police Department and the City Fire Department, made through the Public Safety Committee.

Council member Teresa Phillips told the council that the committee had met with police Lt. Charles Curry and received a letter of recommendation from Chief Johnny Ray Carpenter for the department to hire Mercedes Perkins on a fulltime basis.  The council also agreed to the hiring of Susan Jordan and Karen McNeal, each on a parttime basis in city jailer posts.

Similarly, Phillips said the committee had met with fire department personnel and agreed with their recommendation to hire Deontrey Means as a volunteer firefighter.  Asst. Chief Cassidy Martin advised the council that adding Means to the roster of volunteers brings that volunteer total up to 20, a number needed for the city’s current low fire rating.

Council member Ada Hall made the recommendation that the council purchase an asphalt hot box and recycler for the street department at a cost of about $67,000.  This would be for pothole repairs, work which members agreed needs to be done.  But Phillips questioned the purchase when the city has pothole repair equipment on hand.  Mayor Gerald Hamms cited some operating difficulties.  Councilman Matt Miller suggested that the council first get more information on how the present equipment is being used by operators.  So he asked that the matter be tabled and this was accepted.