Published: June 14, 2008 05:00 pm            

New deputy hired to patrol area

By Trent Moore

trentm@cullmantimes.com

Cullman County Sheriff Tyler Roden was present at the Dodge City town council meeting Thursday to formally introduce the municipality’s new deputy, Brett Rodgers.

“Well, it didn’t take as long as I thought it would,” Roden said of the personnel decision to make Rodgers, 24, the patrolman for the Dodge City area.

Roden had nothing but praise for Rodgers’ record as a deputy as well as his character.

“Brett (Rodgers) has a good background,” he said. “He has done a great job and is a very community-oriented person.”

Rodgers started as a reserve officer for the county and completed the deputy’s academy. Later, he worked at the Cullman County Detention Center.

Though Rodgers officially started his Dodge City beat Thursday, he’s been patrolling the area since Monday and has already made three arrests.

Rodgers said he hopes to become an asset to the Dodge City community.

“I’m glad to be here and I think we’re already seeing some good changes,” he said. “If there’s anything I can do to help, to the best of my ability I’ll do it.”

Mayor Perry Ray said Rodgers should be a great addition to the town.

“He seems to be just what we need,” he said.

Local businessman Scott Edmondson, owner of Lakeside Pharmacy, said he was glad to finally have a town deputy.

“Thanks so much for hiring the deputy,” he said to the council. “It’s a big step for a small community. It’s definitely needed.”

Rodgers will make $37,564 annually, which the town will pay to the sheriff’s office for his services. That amount includes both his salary and benefits. The money will come from the town’s general fund.

Other business from the meeting included:

‰ The road construction discussed at the town’s previous meeting has begun and should be completed within four weeks. The work will attach the town hall parking lot and road to Howard Circle and Bullet Drive. The work is being done by Good Hope Contracting for approximately $40,000, which will come from the town’s general fund. The council approved a motion to pay for the work.

‰ The council approved a resolution to establish voting hours from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. for the upcoming election.

‰ The council also approved a resolution to use electronic voting/counting machines in the upcoming election.

        

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