Lanett honors teen pilot, hears department updates and appoints member to Mental Health Board

Mayor Jamie Heard presented a proclamation to Jaquarious Barnes, who at 17 made his first solo flight from Atlanta to Lanett Regional Airport; the mayor asked Barnes’s parents and family to stand for the recognition.

Department heads delivered routine updates: Electric Superintendent Allen Summers said the city is performing conductor change-outs, is in the design phase for a PHYMSA gas grant and reports transformer capacity is in good shape. Recreation Director Trent McCants promoted upcoming fall events including a fall festival, movie night and haunted house and provided an update on recreational football. Cemetery Department Head Bo Lauderdale said roadside mowing and pickups are current. Street Department Head Rockey Bolt reported 27 dig-outs, storm-drain replacements on South 9th Street and 210 feet of sidewalk demolition/replacement and provided an update on a fence project at Cherry Drive and Tanyard Creek.

Water Department Head Richard Chapman described sewer-line replacements behind Sara Jay’s at Tanyard Creek and work from Highway 29 to North Lanier Ave and said water operations are in reasonable condition. Matt Shiver reported the Fire Department had 201 calls this month, 190 of which were EMS calls. Police Chief Richard Casner reported staffing changes (one new hire preparing for the academy and one soon to graduate) and offered July–September activity totals: 1,802 calls, 173 misdemeanor arrests, 16 felonies, 136 tickets and 37 accidents.

Mayor Heard read a letter of appreciation to the police department, reminded residents to vote on Nov. 5 and announced City Hall will be closed Nov. 11 for Veterans Day with a program at 11 a.m. He also said the new airport manager would begin work Jan. 2 and appointed John T. Woody to the Mental Health Board. The meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.