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HomeMy Public PortalAbout19740703SCMeeting25 Savannah Beach, Georgia July 3, 1974 A Special Called Meeting was held this evening at 7:30 P.M. for the purpose of discussing the hiring of Mr. Samuel F. Weatherly in the position of Police Lieutenant on the Savannah Beach Police Department. The meeting was presided over by Mayor M. J. Counihan and a quorum consisting of the following Councilmen was present: Mr. Richard DeLoach, Mr. John Wylly, Mr. Ernest Hosti, Mr. James Bond and Mr. Joe Agnew. In opening the meeting, Mayor Counihan was critical of the manner in which this special meeting was called stating that he felt he knew why it was called by that he was not told or notified of the meeting until about 4:30 P.M. in the afternoon of the meeting. He stated further that the Mayor or any four members of Council could call a Special Meeting for a particular purpose or purposes and only these purposes could be discussed. He also stated that the name he had on the card he received calling this meeting was Councilman Wylly. The Mayor then re- quested Mr. Wylly to state the reason for the Called Meeting.. Councilman John Wylly stated that the reason for the meeting was for the purpose of hiring Mr. Samuel Weatherly as a Lieutenant on the Savannah Beach Police Department. Mayor Counihan then asked for a determination as to the four Councilmen who issued the call for the Special Meeting. They were Councilmen Wylly, Hosti, Bond and Agnew. The Mayor therefore called the meeting a legal one and stated that the subject matter could now be taken up, which was the hiring of Mr. Samuel Weatherly on the Savannah Beach Police Department. Mayor Counihan then declared the meeting open for the transaction of business legally pre- sented. Mayor Counihan asked for permission +to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the July 1st meeting and also the approval of same due to the fact that they were not yet prepared. Unanimous approval was given for this. Councilman Edward Fahey, Chairman of the Police Committee stated that he felt what they wanted to discuss was an ap- plication dated June 29, 1974 from one Samuel Francis Weatherly for the position of Police Lieutenant on the Savannah Beach Police Department at a desired salary of $700.00 per month. Mayor Counihan stated that Mr. Fahey was Chairman of our Police Committee and that he had received a letter in the form of a request from one of the Councilmen to put Mr. Weatherly on our Police Force as a Lieutenant with a monthly salary of 700.00. 26" -2- The Mayor stated further that Mr. Weatherly had made an appli- cation for this position, as they had heard the Chairman state, and that he assumed it was in order to be acted upon. Prior to taking action on this application, Mayor Counihan stated that he wished to inform Council that he had met with the Police Committee for approximately 21 hours discussing this matter thoroughly. He stated that when this meeting was adjourned it was his understanding that this committee, through the efforts of our attorney, call upon the County and review Mr. Weatherly's past record and the reason for his termination with the Chatham County Police Department. Mayor Counihan asked Chairman Fahey verification of these facts. Chairman Fahey stated that this was also his understanding. At . this point Attorney Lance Smith wanted it clarified that he was instructed to have these records made available to the committee and NQT necessarily to inspect them himself. Mayor Counihan then asked the Police Committee if they had had the opportunity to review the records. Mr. Wylly stated that they had and was prepared to discuss them. Upon the advice of City Attorney Lance Smith, Council decided not to go into these personal records in public this time. Councilman John Wylly informed Council that one thing that took place at the meeting last night that had not been brought out was that he recommended that Samuel Weatherly be put on the Savannah Beach Police Department with Councilman James Bond's concurrence and this was sort of sluffed over with all the conversation. Councilman Fahey stated that after it was brought out that the records should be looked into; and, it was agreed that we would look into the records, that we would then come back to the Police Committee. Chairman Fahey stated that there were no arguments as far as he was concerned -all he wanted to do was to express his views on this application. Chairman Fahey stated that, to his knowledge, there was not an opening on our Police Department for a Lieutenant. There is a questionable opening for a patrolman, he stated. He said he had been informed by the Chief of Police that the town could operate with the present force and that, in view of the financial condition of the town, the men would be willing to do this. Mr. Fahey stated that furthermore, he was very much concerned about bringing in a new man because of what it might do to the morale of the present Police Department. Also the fact that Mr. Weatherly stated himself that he was primarily interested in this position for a period of a year and a half to complete his education and that he felt this was temporary because we have young men on the Police Department today who have the desire to advance themselves. Mr. Fahey continued stating what his next concern was and he had made an inquiry in this because, when he was presented this letter, he told them at that time that he would look into it before he acted on any thing. Mr. 1 1 -3- Fahey was then asked to read the letter he referred to. The following letter was then read by Mr. Fahey: L E T T E R Mayor Counihan requested that this letter be submitted to the Clerk and made a part of the records. He called attention to the fact that it was written on the stationary of the former City Administration. Chairman Fahey stated that it was pre- sented to him that way. Chairman Fahey continued stating that he felt that this was one of the hottest issues in Chatham County and that to his knowledge we have had a closer relationship with Chatham County in the last two years than ever before and that the City of Savannah Beach had received more money in the past two years than we have in the past fifty years and it was his personal opinion that this thing would leave a sour taste in their mouths. Chairman Fahey continued stating that he also felt a responsi- bility to the Chief of the Savannah Beach Police Department because he had conferred with Police Chiefs of other Departments and was told that he should take into consideration the view of his chief in the matter. Mr. Fahey stated further that he had Chief Price at the meeting last night and asked him for his views in the matter and Chief Price stated he was dead -set against it because he was afraid it might hurt the morale of the other men in his department. Mr. Fahey then stated that in view of the foregoing he was supporting Chief Price and he was against the appointment. Mayor Counihan then stated to Council that it was his duty as the Mayor and Chief Executive of the City and Special Chairman of all committees to back and support his chairmen as he appointed them. He said he also felt enough had been said and at this time he was adjourning the meeting. f _ Councilman Agnew asked permission to ask a question and received permission. He asked how many men we had on the force at the present time. Chairman Fahey answered that we had eight. Councilman John Wylly stated that he would like to make . a motion. The Mayor asked him to state it. He then moved that Samuel Weatherly be hired as a Lieutenant of the Savannah Beach Police Department at a salary of $700.00 per month. Before a second to the motion and a vote taken, the Mayor and Council were advised by the City Attorney to go. into executive session which was not in conflict with the Sunshine Law since we were dealing with a personality. This was ordered by the Mayor. Upon resuming the meeting Attorney Lance Smith informed -4- Council of a meeting which he had with Chief St. Lawrence in re- gard to a certain health defect which it is alledged Mr. Weatherly has and wished to remind Council of their responsibility in hiring a police officer with a known health defect which is a ministerial ' function. He stated if there is a medical condition council should be aware of their responsibility and this proposed employee should receive a thorough physical examination. Councilman Bond then read into the records two letters, one from Dr. Fagin and one from Dr. Rosengart which was read by the Clerk. Both of these letters im- lied a condition similar to epilepsy but both doctors felt it was not an epileptic condition. Following a further lengthy discussion in regard to the physical condition of Mr. Weatherly, such as seizures he is subject to, their cause, etc. and, as one of the doctors stated, he felt could be con- trolled by diet, Chief Price reported on two seizures that were re- ported to him on the telephone. Chief Price stated further that if they are not epileptic seizures, it is a known fact that he does lose consciousness when he has these attacks. There then followed more discussion about an example when a patrolman with over a year's experience as a police officer and the completion of the mandate training course was hired and then fired an hour later. There was other discussion about the meeting the night before and finally the visitors were allowed to return for the motion. Councilman Agnew moved a substitute to the whole ammendment to the original motion changing the position from Lieutenant to Sergeant which motion was lost for lack of a second. Mayor Counihan stated that the motion on the floor at the pre- sent time by Councilman Wylly was that Mr. Samuel Weatherly be hired by the Savannah Beach Police Department as Police Lieutenant at a salary of $700.00 per month subject to his passing a physical exami n.atian_a. The motion was seconded by Councilman James Bond. The motion carried by a vote of 5 to 1. Councilman Fahey voting NO. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned to the next regular or special called meeting. MAYOR CLERK OF COUNCIL EDWARD M. PATTERSON CITY CLERK EDWARD JUNG CHAIRMAN OF BOARD W. LANCE SMITH 111 RECORDER AND CITY ATTORNEY PHONE 786 -4573 1 WILLIAM ALLEN HENDRIX, MAYOR CITY OF SAVANNAH BEM Executive Offices — City Hall P. O. Box 128 SAVANNAH BEACH, GA. 31328 COUNCILMEN EARL R. ANDERSON ERNEST C. HOSTI EDWARD JUNG KAREN Y. LOSEY WALTER W. PARKER EDWARD W. TOWNS June 29, 1974 We, the undersigned, duly elected officials of the City of.Savannah Beach, hereby employ Samuel F. Weatherly in the position of Police Lieutenant this date, June 29, 1974. We feel that the employed, Samuel F. Weatherly, will greatly benefit the citizens of our community and our police department in view of his known abilities and out- standing qualifications as a law enforcement officer. The employed has attended many law enforcement training achools pertaining to police management, criminal investigations, and is a licensed intoximeter operator. He is well versed and . experienced in the field of criminal investigations and modern police techniques. We feel that due to the increase of serious crimes in our community his knowledge and abilities will aid in not only the deterrence of serious crime, but in the apprehension of those persons responsible for such crimes. The employed in presently attending Armstrong State College under a'L.E.E.P. grant from the United States Department of Justice. His college training coupled with his experience and other training will inable him to provide instruction to other members of our police department in the various concepts of modern police'techniquea. It is understood the employed will continue his college training towards a Baccal- aureate Degree in Criminal Justice. His employment as a police officer of Savannah Beach will inable him to continue under the L.E.E.P. grant by furnishing Federal Funds for tuition and books. It is further understood the employed in addition to ether police duties will be responsible for establishing effective measures for crime prevention and criminal investigations. He will work under the Chief of Police and Mayor and Councilmen of Savannah Beach, and will be principle investigator for internal affairs for the Mayor and Councilmen; Chief of Police, and Police Court Recorder of Savannah Beach. ,Mayor , Councilman , Councilman Signed; ,Councilman ,Councilman ,Councilman ,Councilman