Members to Winn’s Emergency 911 board were appointed for a four-year term by the Police Jury in special session Monday night and the first meeting of that new board was slated for this Thursday at noon in the courthouse.

Don Garrett who has worked with Winn’s 911 system for some 32 years in a mapping and accounting capacity was slated to update the jury at its June meeting but was unable due to illness.  He opened the July 22 session with an overview ranging from the 911 financial status to how 911 has kept up with technological evolutions since its startup in the 1980s through system upgrades.  More may lie ahead.

Some of the members are re-appointees, some are new.  Named were EMT Russell Johnson, Winn Parish Fire Chief Dustin Johnson, Police Chief Johnny Ray Carpenter, Mayor Gerald Hamms, Winnfield Fire Chief Brian Montgomery, Sheriff Josh McAllister and Juror Darrell Franks.

Asked about additional members, Jury President Frank McLaren observed that the board has operated with seven members in the past but if the need to expand is seen, the jury has that authority.  The selection of members is effective immediately.

Garrett explained that the immediacy of the first meeting is so the board can elect officers, with someone named to sign checks as soon as possible.

“I’m a firm believer that if you’re on a committee, you need to make every possible effort to attend meetings, if at all possible,” stressed McLaren.  There had been some discussion about a resolution to that effect but McLaren said Monday was not that time.

During Monday’s session, the lawmakers also renamed Nathan Vercher to the Saline Lake Fish & Game Commission for a four-year term.