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Shownes Sworn In As Troy’s New Police Chief, Three Officers Promoted

By Charlie Feldman

cfeldman@timestribunenews.com

Friends, family and well-wishers packed the City Council chambers on Monday night, May 17, to watch interim Brent Shownes be sworn in as Troy’s new police chief.

He was appointed by new mayor Dave Nonn. After taking the oath, the new chief’s father pinned the badge on him.

Next, five more officers whose ceremonies were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, were finally sworn in one by one – Jennifer Hautly, Brent Beltz, Zach Sellers, Paul Franklin and Alex Reish. Something new had been added to the oath – “I also swear that I am not a member nor do I intend to become a member of any organization intent upon the subversion or overthrow of the legal government of the United States of America.”

Shownes announced that the next three highest-ranking officers on Troy’s police force are each moving up a position on May 24. Their ceremonies will take place at an upcoming city council meeting on a date to be determined later, he said.

“The officers that will be getting promoted on the 24th is Lieutenant Chris Wasser will become the assistant chief, Sergeant [James] Newcombe will become lieutenant and Dan Lipe will become sergeant,” he said.

This leaves a vacancy for a new detective. In fact, there are other vacancies now on the force.

“As of right now we have to hire people to be able to put some people in investigations,” Shownes said.

He said the police will conduct D.A.R.E. graduations during the next two weeks at each school.

“I’m really proud of these kids,” Shownes said, “because they’ve raised over thirty thousand dollars for Special Olympics.”

The public works department announced that the Riggin Road project was the first not to be funded on the STP grant cycle, missing it by a 0.2 point. The department plans to try again next year.

A maintenance agreement with Osborn Development LLC for a stormwater detention pond at Troy Town Centre was approved.

The company agreed to provide the City of Troy with a performance security bond for $50,000 to finish these items within six months: to riprap the banks of the retention pond per the approved subdivision plans, to grade up the existing piles of dirt to a maintainable slope no steeper than 3 to 1 and to seed and straw existing dirt piles after grading to establish a lawn that can be mowed and maintained until needed for the next addition. If they don’t finish on time, the city has the right to cash the bond and use the money to do the work.

In other action:

Committee assignments for the 2021-22 year were approved. They are:   

• Administrative and Community Services: Elizabeth Hellrung – chair, Debbie Knoll – vice chair,  Sam Italiano,  Dan Dawson.

• Finance and Economic Development: Nathan Henderson,  chair, Elizabeth Hellrung, vice chair, Tony Manley, Debbie Knoll.

• Law enforcement: Sam Italiano -chair, Tony Manley – vice chair, Tim Flint, Troy Turner.

• Public Works: Dan Dawson -chair, Troy Turner – vice chair, Nathan Henderson, Tim Flint.

The board accepted the resignation of patrol officer Bryan Brown.

The next City Council meeting will be held on Monday, June 7 at 7:30 in the Troy Municipal Building.

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