To Elect or Not to Elect, that is the Question
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The Holdenville City Council will hold its regularly scheduled meeting tonight. There will be several items of note to discuss, among them a raise for fire department employees. The council will also be discussing the recent increase to the city share of 911 dispatch costs. The item that will more than likely be the most controversial discussion of the evening comes just two weeks after the city council voted to revoke the benefit of a take home vehicle for the chief of police. Tonight, the council will be voting on whether or not to change the city ordinance concerning the position of chief of police entirely. Under the previous Mayor, Beverly Rodgers, the ordinance concerning the position of chief of police and the city clerk was changed from being an elected position to appointed or hired. She, along with those serving on the council at the time, believed that changing the position from elected to hired would take the politics out of the position and also allow the council to find the best qualified candidates possible for the position. Many in the community felt it took away their voice and rights as citizens to choose their elected leaders. Under the current Holdenville City ordinance 5-1-2, “the chief of police shall be appointed by the mayor, with approval of the city council, along with other police officers as the mayor and council deem necessary. (1985 Code § 13-401)” After a vote of last year’s city council, the chief of police can also live up to 60 miles outside the city limits of Holdenville. If the change is approved tonight (September 21), the position of chief of police will be elected by the citizens of Holdenville in an election and be required to live within the city limits. The city clerk position will not be affected by this vote. This item has been placed on the agenda after major public opposition and criticism to the police department by a city councilman and a member of his family on social media. Sources tell us that the dispute began over a major disagreement between officers and the city councilman over arresting procedures and protocols. Shortly after the dispute, three officers resigned from the police department. Less than 48 hours later, after meeting with the personnel committee and the chief of police, two of them asked if they could return to work. Both have returned to work as of last Saturday night. Last month (August), the Holdenville Police Department answered 505 calls for service and made 43 arrests. The News will have the full story of what was discussed and what decisions were made concerning the position of chief of police in next week’s edition.
