County patrolman
to direct Clarkdale traffic
By Staff
Dec. 14, 2002
By Lynette Wilson / staff writer
Lauderdale County supervisors on Monday are expected to formally approve continuation of a "gentleman's agreement" that will keep a county patrolman on the job directing traffic at Clarkdale Attendance Center.
The patrolman, James Barney, will likely be hired on a part-time, temporary basis for District 4 supervisor Joe Norwood, but will actually work in District 5, where Clarkdale is located on a busy highway. District 4 is the only district that does not have a county school within its borders.
Norwood said the new patrolman will work two hours a day, five days a week directing traffic at Clarkdale until Jan. 1, when a public safety officer is expected to take over. The school will be closed part of that time for the Christmas holidays.
Barney is a certified law enforcement officer who works part time for the sheriff's department. Rickey Harris, the former District 4 county patrolman, left his position following his Nov. 19 election loss to Norwood.
Shortly after his election, Norwood said he received calls from concerned parents and Clarkdale staff asking him to send someone to the school to direct traffic.
Norwood said now that he's taken office, he can see where the county patrolman can be of use to him personally.
Norwood said he will eventually bring the matter of retaining county patrolmen before the board, but not until he has studied it further.
Board president Craig Hitt, who represents District 3, maintains his position on county patrolmen and said, he's looking for alternative solutions to the position.
District 2 supervisor Jimmie Smith said county patrolmen have an important job patrolling the roads and does not question their necessity.
District 5 supervisor Ray Boswell said Glenn Knight, the District 5 County patrolman, directs traffic at Southeast Attendance Center, but also makes sure loggers are obeying the load limits on roads and bridges.
District 3 supervisor Hank Florey could not be reached for comment.
