By Adam Smith

The North Jefferson News



The Gardendale City Council approved the hiring of two police officers during its Monday meeting.

Office Terry Crumpton, a retired Birmingham Police officer and officer John Day, a transfer from Irondale, were scheduled to start work this week.

Gardendale Police Chief Mike Walker said despite Crumpton and Day’s hiring, two slots in the department are still vacant.

The two officers were not on a list provided by the Jefferson County Personnel Board. Walker expressed frustration with the amount of qualified candidates on the list.

“This problem is not unique to us,” he said. “Some departments have stopped trying to hire off the list.”

Walker said an officer would be moved to detective in about a month and the department will also soon begin the interviewing process to fill a second lieutenant and sergeant position.

In other business, the council voted to advertise bids for a sidewalk project.

The cost for the project is between $425,000 and $475,000. The city will be able to use matching grant funds from the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) to construct sidewalks along Odum Road.

Only Councilman Billy Flippo voted against the project. He told the council that he had received calls from Odum Road residents who told him traffic lights were needed more than sidewalks.

“There needs to be a red light coming out on to Main Street from Odum Road,” Flippo said. “We’ve talked about it for years. I, personally, don’t think it’s ever going to be done.”

Mayor Kenny Clemons said Tuesday that engineering work is being done on Main Street with future plans of widening the road and installing a turn lane for Odum Road. He said plans for the Main Street upgrade will include a traffic light at that intersection.

In other business, the council:

• gave approval to Gardendale Girls Softball Association President Daniel Baker for an opening night fireworks show on March 28 and parade on March 29, pending approval from Fire Chief Clint Doss and Police Chief Mike Walker

• rezoned 1017 Meadow Drive from R-1 (single-family residential) to C-2 (community business district). The ordinance, which would allow Serra Kia to expand its car lot, was tabled from the previous council meeting because no one from the business was at the meeting to discuss the expansion.

• promoted Joshua Howell and Brandon McRae to truck driver in the public works department

• accepted a bid and authorized the purchase of a heavy duty tire changer for use in the public works department in the amount of $10,885 from NAPA auto parts.