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Mayor: Departments must communicate
Published Thursday, July 10, 2008
NATCHEZ — Keeping in line with one part of his platform, Mayor Jake Middleton met with the city’s department heads Wednesday morning, which will become a monthly occurrence.
“We’re a team here and that’s how we operate, as a team,” Middleton said. “If you’re not a team player, you’re going to have a hard time working under my administration.”
He said the department heads really need to get together and have an open line of communication to figure out ways to be frugal.
“Each one of you department heads are smart, intelligent people. We’ve got to figure out how to conserve energy,” Middleton said.
Middleton applauded Police Chief Mike Mullins efforts to save gas by having his patrol officers shut of their engines and do foot patrol 10 minutes every hour.
For all those departments who have employees take home city vehicles, he asked that they only be used to go to and from work.
Middleton also encouraged communication among the department heads.
“If we’ll communicate between ourselves, you will resolve 50 percent of your problems,” he said.
Middleton discussed other plans too, such as appointing board members to each department.
In the past, board members have served as the same committee chairs for departments for an extended period of time.
Middleton said he served as committee chair for the recreation department for 13 of his 16 years as alderman.
He wants to rotate the chairs every two years.
“It’s the best way to do it and it’s the better way to understand city government,” he said.
Middleton also advised each department head to be watchful of their budget and to periodically review it throughout the year.
He also suggested that each person look at ways to save money in their budget in whichever way possible.
Overall, Middleton said he was looking forward to serving with all the department heads.
“I’m excited about this new administration,” he said. “I want the people of Natchez to look on this administration as the best one there’s ever been.”
Comments
Posted by harvest1 (anonymous) on July 10, 2008 at 7:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Way to go Mr. Mayor. In time all will fall in place.
Posted by RobinBrownHayes (anonymous) on July 10, 2008 at 10:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good Luck Jake! I think you will do a great job. And by the way I think my Grandson may have added a few votes for starring in your advertisement. Heard about it but didn't get to see it.
Posted by jack (anonymous) on July 10, 2008 at 10:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
boy i sure want to see the police car sitting with the motor turned off i donot think anyone will sit in a hot car listening to a radio in this heat amd of the policeman is walking how can he get back to his car to save a life or stop a burglary every minute counts when it comes to protecting the public jake and mike you should be ashamed
Posted by RobinBrownHayes (anonymous) on July 10, 2008 at 11:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Jack - I don't think the officers should have to sit in the car without it running, but patroling by foot isn't such a bad thing. Especially for 10 minutes. Maybe it will make some of the officers a little more healthy and we can count on them being around to protect and serve. My hats off to the officers for a thankless job.
Posted by Hardcorps (anonymous) on July 10, 2008 at 11:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Jakearoo is trying and I wish him all the success but Jackaroo is correct about the occifers being close to their rides in case of an important call.
Why can't we be like Hinds county in that Malcolm McMillan is the sheriff and the Chief of Police? Let the deputies and NPD combine. Get the NPD out of those hot black uniforms in the summer anyway. This isn't Fairbanks after all.
Posted by jack (anonymous) on July 10, 2008 at 11:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
robin my hats off to the guys also just the car turned off come on save when it comes to protect and serve i want to see them driving a looking not sitting in a cool store while the car is off hell they are out of the car enough taking a call and doing reports to sav more than 10 minutes a hour come on chief
Posted by RobinBrownHayes (anonymous) on July 10, 2008 at 11:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Jack - I guess your right. I didn't think of it that way. If I'm not mistaken I think they normally leave the cars running when they are on a call. Turn the cars off while on a call depending on the nature of the call.
Posted by andy (anonymous) on July 10, 2008 at 1:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
yes jack you are right lets save money another way cut salaries of the board or raise taxes so law enforcement can do their job we all know we want the law to come when we call and not play games with gasoline
Posted by olderthandirt (anonymous) on July 10, 2008 at 3:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
They leave the cars running while answering a call.I have never understood why.And the jury is still out if they follow up on cases.I hope to find out tonight about mine.I'm not holding my breath.
Posted by redusmfan (anonymous) on July 10, 2008 at 4:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey Jake,
If you can get he departments in Natchez to do it, maybe you should run for governor next. The state could definitely use this idea.....
Posted by Sarge (anonymous) on July 11, 2008 at 6:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yep,,,,,Officers sitting in a hot as hell patrol car,,,,,while wearing a kevlar vest underneath that black uniform,,,,,WITH the motor turned off!
Hmmmm,,,,,I forsee a lot of Officers at the ER with heat strokes and dehydration!
That little plan might work for the Officers on the night shift,,,,,But come on Jake and Chief Mullins! NOT the day shift!
This plan is just about as lame as the one Tapper came up with about making his Officers patrol neighborhoods in a GOLF CART!!! (insert wicked laugh here)
Posted by hopefloats (anonymous) on July 11, 2008 at 7:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Foot patrol? Sounds dangerous..maybe foot patrol could be done in some of the bars to cut down on underage drinking or road blocks on friday and sat. nights for drunk drivers?? 1 hour of road block would be the equivilant of 10 min. an hour right or if they turned their cars off when pulling someone over that could be the same. I doubt our officers have 10 minutes on a shift to spend on foot patrol but then i like the road block ideas. Works in Franklin County!
Posted by needmoreinfo (anonymous) on July 11, 2008 at 10:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How many department heads in city gov? Who are these heads. How many cars does the city have ( not counting police cars)? How many cars are taken home?
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