Jimmy Dean Whitten thanks aldermen for privilege of serving as police officer

Jimmy Dean Whitten thanked the Board of Aldermen Tuesday evening for the privilege of serving for many years as a New Albany police officer.

Whitten was seriously injured while serving with the New Albany Police Department (NAPD) on Friday, June 5, 2020. After 30 months of  treatment, Whitten’s doctors have determined that he will not be able to return to police work. Tuesday evening he thanked the board for the support he has received during his partial recovery and expressed his love for the community. Whitten had served as a Union County deputy sheriff before joining the NAPD. He was honored earlier this year with a citation for valor for the incident in which he was injured. See: https://newalbanyunionco.com/jimmy-dean-whitten-honored-for-valor/

As is customary when NAPD officers retire, the aldermen unanimously approved a request from Police Chief Chris Robertson that Whitten be allowed to keep his 40 caliber Glock 22 semi-automatic service weapon. Whitten has been told he faces additional surgery for his injuries.

During its Tuesday meeting the board approved requests from New Albany Lights, Gas, and Water (NALGW) Manager Bill Mattox for payments to contractors or new contracts on projects he is managing. The board approved a payment request to Roberts Construction of $280,751 for ongoing work on the municipal building renovation of the old Fred’s property.

The board approved a request from Mattox for a $2.05-million dollar contract with Night Hawk AMI for automated metering services. The board also approved a request for a contract not to exceed $2.55-million with a Starkville engineering company for work on NALGW’s developing high-speed internet service. All requests were approved on 5-0 votes by the aldermen.

Parks and Recreation Director received unanimous approval to buy a new commercial lawn mower. The mower will be purchased under the State of Mississippi contract for $12,012.

Code Enforcement Officer Eric Nichols told the board of actions by the Planning and Zoning Board. Cook Daycare, which operates an adult daycare service at 611 Moss Hill Drive, had asked the board to change the zoning of its property to a less restrictive commercial zoning classification. The daycare currently operates under a conditional use permit. Owners of homes in the single-family residential neighborhood opposed Cook’s application for commercial zoning. The Planning and Zoning Board denied Cook’s request. It is possible that Cook will appeal the Zoning Board’s decision to the Board of Aldermen.

The next meeting of the New Albany Board of Aldermen will be at 5:30 pm on Tuesday, December 6th.