Guards’ jobs here to stay

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Pike County residents will be greeted by the same friendly faces at the Pike County Courthouse, after the commission voted to renew the security guard’s contract Monday night.

County Administrator Harry Sanders said the bids are renewed every three years, and Twin City Securities earned the bid Monday night.

Twin City Securities, who currently employees the courthouse guards in Pike County, was the low bidder of the two, the other being DSI Security Services.

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Commissioners had representatives of both bidders attend Monday’s meeting to ensure both met qualifications.

“My interest is about CPR,” said District 1 Commissioner Homer Wright.

“When you’ve got security, somebody should be able to do training because you can’t wait until first response gets there sometimes.”

But, both security systems ensured all guards did have those qualifications or were in the process of getting them.

Commissioners had planned to pass the budget for next year, a budget that includes raises for county employees.

But, at the request of Chairman Robin Sullivan, the budget will be forwarded to the next meeting, Monday, Sept. 28.

“We have a meeting with Sen. (Wendell) Mitchell, and we want to get his input before we do that,” Sullivan said.

“We have stuff we’ve talked about all year, and we mainly have questions about what’s coming up in the Legislature this year. Our concern is our road department, and that’s our biggest question — what can you do to help our Pike County Road Department?”

Also in the budget, the commissioners will have to approve $150,000 in appropriations, which will be allotted for some agencies in the county.

The appropriations are funded with sales tax dollars and are determined by a committee of the chairman and the county’s mayors.

Though the committee agreed to give the same appropriations as last year, the commission also forwarded that motion to have time to discuss making changes.

Also in the meeting, the commission voted to sign a resolution of support, backing a transportation grant the city of Troy is seeking to fund an east-west corridor.

If awarded, the roadwork will span from George Wallace Drive near Charles Henderson High School to Montgomery Street and connect to U.S. Highway 231.

While the commission did support the motion, District 5 Commissioner Charlie Harris wanted to make something clear before casting his vote.

“I have no problem with supporting the city for anything they wish to do,” Harris said.

“But I do have a problem when we need help from the city, they need to turn that favor back.”

“There are some things we need to do and should have done and didn’t get any support.”