A motion to hire interim police chief Rick Martin as the permanent Holden Police Chief which was made during a brief meeting of the merit board last week was tabled at a meeting Monday night by a unanimous vote of those present.

The motion was made by merit board member Chip Kluz last Tuesday night but was not acted upon because the meeting was adjourned because of posting requirements required for an executive meeting. According to Scotty Walker, merit board chairman, Kluz was not present at Monday night’s meeting.

During Monday’s meeting, Walker says the group reviewed one application and voted to conduct a background investigation on the individual. Walker added there are a total of five candidates for the chief of police position and that he anticipates conducting interview in the next several weeks.

“I am pleased with the applications,” he said. “We want to get this resolved as quickly as feasible,” he added.

By Dana Neubert
News Staff



Holden Intermediate School Students will move into their new building in dramatic style Tuesday morning. According to Holden R-3 District officials, fourth and fifth grade students are to go to the old interemdiate buildings Tuesday morning and they will then form a parade to march along with their teachers to the new school.

According to Donna Fizer, intermediate principal, the parade will begin at approximately 8:15 a.m. Parents and community members are encouraged to walk along with the youngsters or cheer them on as they make their way to the new school. Fizer says the third grade students will be waiting for them outside the school and all the students will enter the new building at the same time.

In preparation for the move, Patty Raker of the district office, says school will be dismissed early on Friday to allow more time for teachers and staff to complete the move. Intermediate school will be dismissed at 12:45 p.m.; the elementary at 12:55 p.m. and the middle and high schools at 1 p.m. All district personnel will be expected to work their normal schedule.

Intermediate school students will be asked to take their supplies from their desk with them when they get on the bus Friday and will then have the opportunity to put them in their new desks.

Raker says the new building is now complete with the exception of a few minor details to finish in the multipurpose room. She added, however, it should be finished by the end of the week.

A dedication for the new school is planned for Oct. 3 from 2 to 5 p.m
In a joint meeting of the Holden Police Committee and the Police Merit Board held on August 24, committee members discussed the current ordinance that deals with residency requirements for the Holden Police Department.

After much discussion about incentives, housing issues and response time by the committee, those present agreed an amendment needs to be made to eliminate the residency requirement.

An ordinance dealing with just that was to be presented and voted on at Monday night’s city council meeting.

Merit board member Roy Dale Sturgis said, “Having to stay within that 30-minute window and with the pay being so low, we are not attracting new officers.”

According to merit board Chairman Scotty Walker, his concern is how to entice officers to come to Holden and raise their families. Since pay seems to be an issue, with salaries starting at $22,500, Walker asked if the department could cut out overtime of current officers and increase salaries.

Acting Police Chief Rick Martin reported that he currently has five officers on payroll. “The ideal number is seven,” stated Martin. “That way we wouldn’t have to be paying any overtime. But right now, I just don’t have enough officers to cover all the needed shifts without offering over-time.” He reported that they are still under budget due to the low number of officers. He added, “Reserve officers are also being used, but there are scheduling problems associated with them.”

Martin added, “The starting pay in Jackson County for police officers is $26,000-28,000, which is substantially higher than what Holden can offer.”

Merit board member Paul Kluz discussed the idea of hiring some officers within the area and some outside of the area, but Walker voiced concerns about discrimination, if this tactic was used.

A concerned citizen stated, “I believe that the chief or assistant chief should get a pay increase.”

Committee members also discussed the young officers who come to work in Holden. Several said they use Holden as a stepping stone to help further their career and consequently, don’t stay long, perhaps 6-12 months.

Kluz suggested that the board seek out retired officers from surrounding towns who want to continue working, but don’t want to sell everything they own and uproot their families at that stage in their lives. He said he believes they are missing out on opportunities of hiring these seasoned lawmen. By doing away with the residential requirements the board could actively seek out these individuals, said Kluz.

The committee discussed offering incentives to the younger officers, such as paying their tuition to the police academy, or reimbursing them after they have been on the job for a certain period of time. The cost of the academy is between $4,000-$5,000.

Hedglin suggested that the subject of incentives and salaries should be tabled and discussed at a future meeting.

Although a brief merit board meeting was held, Chairman Scotty Walker closed it after being advised by the city attorney that the meeting should have been posted by the city as an executive meeting. However, prior to the closing of the meeting, Kluz made a motion to hire interim police chief Rick Martin as the city’s permanent police chief. No action was taken on the motion.
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