Santa turned the table on the Winnfield City Council when, instead of asking them their wishes for next Christmas, he asked his own from them: a new Santa’s Workshop.
“I’m asking, I’m begging,” Bill Thompson began in his plea before the January 14 gathering of the City Council. “I need a new Santa Claus House.” He explained that the floor of the familiar little building that has served the community for years has floors that are rotted, windows that are broken and a front porch that is too small.
“Once you have me and my chair and a child or two, there’s no more room on the porch. And there are often more children that that,” he told the council members. He pointed out that in a new Santa Claus House, there’s no need for much space in the “Workshop” since Santa and the kids would not be in there. They’d be on the front porch while the workshop would simply be storage for his chair when he’s not on Christmas duty.
On that topic, he also suggested a change in visiting hours. It’s been from 4 until 7 p.m. during the holiday season but he said it’s so late and dark that hardly anyone comes late. He suggest a schedule of 3 until 6 p.m. He added that Mrs. Claus has asked about photo opportunities for Facebook posting.
Thompson advised that in his search for a possible solution, he had approached the Technical College here but learned that they no longer have a carpentry program. “So that’s my request,” he concluded. “The good news is that you’ve got 11 months to fill it.”
In other business, the council also agreed to a number of changes in personnel status within the Police Department. Included was the change for Angela Williams from police recruit to probational jailer. Kaylee Sweet from part-time dispatcher to full-time probational jailer. Tyler Smith hired as full-time provisional jailer. Michael Slayter hired as full-time provisional jailer.
They also agreed to reappoint Tia LaCaze as full-time provisional dispatcher. Brian Glenn reappointed as provisional lieutenant. Ashley Carpenter reappointed as provisional sergeant. And Deontrey Means reappointed as provisional sergeant.
