(Correction
04/18/2018: Officer Max Heimer should have been Officer Michael Caine
Maxheimer. We apologize for the error.)
Before the Alexander
City Council got down to regular business Assistant Police Chief
Richard Harper was allowed time to present two awards to Police
Officer Michael Caine Maxheimer. The ceremony took place during
Monday’s (April 16) regular council meeting.
“This is kind of
timely, because, to let you guys (council) know what kind of police
officers you have here in the city and what they go through to keep
our citizens safe,” Harper began. “Police officers aren’t often
recognized for the good things they do but they’re often criticized
for what they’ve done wrong or perceived (to have) done wrong.”
Before reading the
two citations Harper said, “After being an officer for 20 years I
can tell you that there’s no doubt in my mind Officer Maxheimer has
done both of these things a dozen times and no one ever said
anything.”
“For outstanding
performance as a member of the Alexander Police Department,”
Assistant Chief Harper begins reading from the citation. “On March
27, 2018 Officer Michael Caine Maxheimer responded to a burglary on
Rosewood. The victim was an elderly, legally blind citizen on fixed
income, which presented multiple communications challenges. Being a
community oriented police officer he took a problem solving approach
to this case and drove it home to resolution rather than just showing
up to take a report. As a result of your persistence and hard work
the suspect was in custody and the property was recovered within 24
hours.”
“Your consistency
of demonstrating concern for the people of this city and your caring
attitude, high level initiative and relentless pursuit of those who
would harm our citizens are major contributing factors in your
accomplishment,” Harper continued. “A police officer such as
yourself sets the example for others to emulate and impress upon the
citizens of Alexander that their police department is professional,
concerned, caring and dedicated to providing a better environment in
which to live.”
Harper then
presented Officer Maxheimer with the first of two Honorable Service
Medals to a rousing round of applause from those attending the
meeting.
The second award was
presented for an incident that was much more dramatic. According to
the citation, read by Assistant Police Chief Harper, Officer
Maxheimer was responding to a mutual-aid call from a Shannon Hills
officer investigating a “disturbance” call on February 17, 2018.
While en-route the Shannon Hills officer reported over the radio that
“shots had been fired” while Maxheimer was still driving to the
scene.
Still reading from
the citation Harper said Maxheimer, “Arrived, grabbed his trauma
kit, quickly assessed the scene and located a man lying on a floor
bleeding from a gunshot wound. Over the next 15 minutes Officer
Maxheimer and a neighbor treated the victim for shock and fought to
control the bleeding while awaiting EMS. Officer Maxheimer, along
side the citizen, performed his duties in a professional and
efficient manner while maintaining calm demeanor despite the extreme
circumstance. Their team work undoubtedly saved the man’s life and
prevented further life threatening damage.”
The description of
events is based on video from Officer Maxheimer’s body-cam. “There
was a struggle to keep the man alive,” Assistant Police Chief
Harper said after reading the citation, “It was kind of difficult
to watch the video.”
After presenting
Officer Maxheimer with the second Honorable Service Medal,
accompanied by more applause, Assistant Police Chief Harper said, “We
try to recognize our police officers publicly so you need to know, so
you can let our citizens know the kind of police officers you have
working for you. And, this is not a rarity, it’s a rarity that it’s
recognized.”
During the business
portion of the council meeting;
The council
accepted, by a voice vote, the resignation of City Treasurer Kenneth
Miller. Mayor Paul Mitchell received the undated resignation, prior
to the March council meeting, and kept it in case it was needed.
The resignation
reads, “Sir, This is to thank you for the opportunity to serve this
great city. Because of circumstances beyond my control I feel it’s
in the city’s best interest that I submit my resignation as City
Treasurer. I (am) very sorry for any inconvenience this may cause and
hope that I have done a good job that helped make this city great.”
Miller was arrested
by State Police Thursday, April 5 and, according to a police report,
charged with 20 counts of distributing, possessing or viewing
sexually explicit content involving a child. He was released from
Saline County Jail Sunday, April 8.
In April, 2015
Miller was appointed by the council to fill a vacancy in the
treasurer’s position. He was then elected in November, 2016
defeating Julia Ann Wilson 292 to 272.
After Mitchell read
the resignation letter, receiving no comments from council members,
the resignation was accepted unanimously by a voice vote. The motion
made also declared the seat vacant. Anyone wishing to be considered
for appointment to the treasurer’s position should contact Mayor
Paul Mitchell at Alexander City Hall.
Now that
Miller is no longer treasurer, a resolution was presented to council
members amending the list of names of those who are permitted to sign
checks for the City. Where previously Miller’s name was listed it
was replaced with Bookkeeper and Mayor’s Assistant Jo An Churchill.
The resolution keeps Mayor Paul Mitchell and council members Juanita
Wilson and Dan Church on the list.
The resolution also
appoints Churchill as “Acting City Treasurer.” For those who were
unaware, Mitchell pointed out Churchill had been elected treasurer in
November, 2012 but resigned in early 2013. Council members accepted
the resolution unanimously by a voice vote.
Mayor
Mitchell presented council members with a quote to light pathway’s
in the city park. Alliance Electrical Services, located in Alexander
at 16220 Alexander Rd (Hwy. 111), submitted a quote of $50,977.29.
The quote includes, “10 Pathway post Lanterns with flag hangers and
receptacles on each post,” material, trencher rental, and labor.
Mitchell said the posts will include outlets at the top to power
Christmas decorations.
Mitchell told
council members the lights will be placed along pathways in the park
providing not only light for those using the park at night but to
also allow police officers to better determine if anyone is in the
park after the 10 PM closing time. He also reported a balance of over
$304,000 in the park fund. Aside from landscaping Mitchell said this
will be the last major park project.
In another unanimous
voice vote council members approved a motion suspending the bidding
process and accepting the bid.
Council
members heard a report from Planning Commission Chairman Michael Huck
who said the commission has held two meetings; one in March and the
other in April. At the March meeting Huck said commission members
approved by-laws and elected officers. The by-laws establish the
commissions regular meeting dates as, “The second Tuesday of
February, April, June, August, October, and December.”
Besides the election
of chairman Alderwoman Juanita Wilson was elected vice-chairman and
Stephanie Beck was elected secretary. Huck reminded council members
the commission still needs two members.
Huck reported that
during the April meeting the commission discussed the city’s new
subdivision rules and regulations. Huck said after changes are made
the document will be given to the city attorney for a legal review.
It then must come back to the commission for final approval and then
will be sent to the council to accept the commission’s
recommendation to adopt the rules and regulations.
Huck added the
commission is now beginning to update the city’s zoning
regulations. He said a special meeting will be held May 8 at 6 PM in
the city hall courtroom.
The next regular meeting of the Alexander City Council is
Monday, May 21. Meetings start at 6 PM and are held in the courtroom
at the City of Alexander City Hall. The public is invited to attend.