By Tyler Pruett

tyler@southerntorch.com

RAINSVILLE, AL— On Monday, February 1, 2016 the Rainsville City Council announced its selection to replace retiring chief of police Charles Centers. Chief Centers announced his retirement at the first of November. The council selected assistant chief Johnny Stewart to take over the top role at the police department. Stewart was selected by the council from a pool of several applicants. Currently deployed with the Alabama Army National Guard (AANG), Chief Stewart will take over once returning this spring. The assistant police chief, who will be promoted from existing staff to fill the vacancy, will act as chief until Stewart returns.

Stewart is an almost 20 year veteran of the Rainsville Police Department. As long-time assistant police chief, he has a wealth of experience in running the day-to-day operations of the department, as well as standard police work, such as patrolling and investigations. Along with years of law enforcement experience, Stewart has also served his state and country for over 26 years with the national guard as a contracting specialist.

Other items on the agenda at this week’s council meeting included an ordinance issue, along with addressing security issues at city hall. Councilman Graham brought to the council’s attention that the state had contacted the city regarding Ordinance #02-17-2011 being in violation of the Interstate Commerce Clause regarding taxation. The council will consider amendments in the near future to the ordinance in order to rectify the issue. Councilman Holt also brought to the council’s attention that new security measures must be added at Rainsville City Hall after the building had been left unsecured on more than one occasion. Holt recommended security cameras be installed and a system be implemented to log employee usage.

The council also decided to change its next regularly scheduled meeting from Monday, February 14, to Tuesday, February 15 in lieu of the President’s Day holiday.