City hires officers and utility workers

After some debate about documentation of prospective employees presented to the Board of Aldermen at the October 7 meeting in the City of Holly Springs, concern about documentation was taken up.

Candidates were presented by department heads and HR director Angel Oliver for board approval.

Police chief Grant Glover introduced Tymonica Walls, who passed her physical test, for candidate for uncertified police officer. She was supervisor of security over 15 employees at Nike and is a resident of Byhalia. She worked about eight months with the Byhalia Police Department. Glover said he has five open positions that need filling, with one certified candidate applying.

Ward 4 alderman Patricia Merriweather wanted to table the matter.

“He has four more to go (on the agenda),” said Mayor Charles Terry.

Merriweather’s motion to table hiring of all candidates until concerns about documentation could be taken up in executive session was approved.

Coming out of executive session, city clerk Jerrica Jones announced the following motions that passed for new hires:

• Tymonica Walls, as uncertified police officer.

• Johnny Glover as sergeant in the police department.

• Markavion Anderson as part-time police officer.

• Sandra Holec as customer service supervisor at the Holly Springs Utility Department. The board approved transfer of Sharon Stevenson to take a lateral transfer to customer service representative, a move she agreed to. General manager Wayne Jones said Stevenson expressed interest in transfer so she can also handle complaints with the Tennessee Valley Authority.

• Braylon Kettler, as apprentice lineman at HSUD.

• Cornelius Jeffries, as water serviceman at HSUD.

• Michael Leasure as water serviceman at HSUD.

• Kalieb DeBerry, as gas serviceman at HSUD.

• David Jones, as gas serviceman at HSUD.

In matters relating to travel for training, the following were approved: • City clerk Jerrica Jones and deputy clerk Wanda Scott to attend 2025 winter municipal clerk conference in December.

• Chief Rodney Crane and Capt. Kristofer Weeks to attend 2025 Mississippi Fire Investigators Association fall conference in Pearl.

• Interim Accounting Manager Chawanna Harris to attend North Mississippi Public Power Accountants meeting at Northcentral Electric Cooperative in November.

• The mayor and board were approved to attend the CMO Elective evening class at the Oxford Conference Center in November.

The board approved general city bills and claims of $59,040 and City Utility Bills and Claims of $687,082.

Terry said said the Mississippi Department of Transportation has said none of the last administration’s sidewalks are ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant.

“We may have to go back and make them compliant,” he said.

The walks require a one inch fall to every 12 inches rise and require to be open at curbs, Mayor Terry said all positions on the Tourism Board have expired, The housing authority board members serve 5 year terms and the School Board next appointment is due February 28, 2026.

The board approved selling of scrap vehicles. The vehicles will have to be taken off inventory.

The board also considered roof repair of a covering for the water department that was damaged during a wind.

“That building houses the brains of the water department,” said Wayne Jones, general manager of the Holly Springs Utility Department. “It’s imperative it be repaired as soon as possible.

Bids received included:

• Mercer Remodeling and Repair - $10,000

• Hampton’s Construction, $23,050

• Lester Construction - $23,800

• GS Contractors - $38,500 Terry and aldermen discussed the inconsistency of the bids. Jones said he has not yet received a report from the insurance adjuster on damages.

With unrest on the board over a number of matters, including hiring and documentation, and now the insurance, Terry expressed dismay with the board.

“He said he sees no need to wait for the insurance adjuster before contracting for the roof repair.

“It seems tonight, we’re going backward instead of forward,” Terry said.

“We did state what we wanted,” Ward 3 alderman Jim Moore said. “We wanted the roof replaced is a pretty broad statement.”

The board took the bids under advisement.

Officers with the Holly Springs Advancement Society presented plans for Trunk or Treat in downtown celebrating Halloween at 5 p.m. And plans for the Christmas Parade.

Tanya Churchill with the group said 12 businesses have agreed to participate in Trunk or Treat and seven businesses have donated money to purchase candy.

“We want a carnival atmosphere,” she said.

The group wanted streets blocked off for the event and traffic control, and is looking into having food trucks, cotton candy and face painting.

Patrick Foster is in charge of the Christmas Parade. Applications to enter floats in the parade are available. The grand marshal will be announced soon.

Vice-president Michelle Anderson said Tim Liddy who helped organize the parade for 24 years, has agreed to help again this year. Liddy recommended not setting up a stage.

“Everybody wants to do what they can to help and keep the city traditions,” Anderson said.