News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Many residents packed Monterey City Hall Monday night as Monterey Aldermen voted in favor of the recommendation to suspend Monterey Police Chief Bill Randolph.
Monterey Mayor Alex Garcia announced at the beginning of the meeting that the board would only discuss whether his decision to suspend Randolph without pay was suitable. Monterey Attorney Evan Wright said he recommended Garcia take some form of immediate action against Randolph due to the nature of the position.
“Police chief of a municipality is a very important job,” Wright said. “He is tasked with prosecuting cases and he may very well be a witness in a court case and of course, he carries a service weapon and is tasked with public safety so for those reasons we felt like it was best that city hall take the allegations seriously.”
Garcia said now that the aldermen have approved his recommendation it will now be sent to Monterey’s Civil Service Board for further evaluation. That meeting will take place Thursday. Aldermen Larry Bennett said he believes that someone is innocent until proven guilty. However, Bennett said he also believes the punishment is suitable.
“Since we don’t know, now we should not pre-judge,” Bennett said. “But I think because of the circumstances and the charges and everything I think that it is probably appropriate until we know, that the suspension is in order.”
Wright also said Monterey has some leg work to do before they make a final decision about Randolph’s future in serving as the police chief.
In other business, Aldermen approved to apply for a THDA grant. The grant is a maximum of $750,000. The grant is designed to help the town provide affordable housing.
Aldermen discussed renegotiating a contract with Local Government Corporation. Garcia said LGC is the company that provides the system the town uses for operations and for the town’s website. Aldermen Jamie Phillips said they are being charged for services they do not use. Garcia said he has explored other options and could save a minimum of $9,000.
Aldermen approved to donate up to $1,000 for the Christmas parade. Aldermen Bill Wiggins said the town donates to the parade every year.
