Mayor vows support for chief of police

Published 12:00 am Saturday, April 25, 2009

In response to two mayoral candidates who are openly calling for Vicksburg Police Chief Tommy Moffett’s job, Mayor Laurence Leyens voiced his continued support of Moffett during a Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting Friday.

“I have absolutely no intention of replacing you,” Leyens told Moffett, who also spoke in defense of his department. “You have made a huge difference in our safety, in the economics in our community and making this a better place to live. I don’t think the police department could be any better. I really don’t.”

John Shorter and Paul Winfield, two of four Democratic challengers, have both said they would replace Moffett if elected because the department is not effective enough. Moffett said he expects to be a political target during election season, but takes exception to unfounded complaints about his department.

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“My officers are doing an outstanding job of investigating and making cases,” said Moffett, who came to Vicksburg in October 2001 after 24 years with the Biloxi Police Department, from which he retired as chief. “The facts are the facts, regardless of what you or I say. I have the facts, and I am prepared to come into any forum and provide those facts. Mr. Winfield and Mr. Shorter don’t have a clue as to what they’re talking about. It’s political rhetoric. Both are willing to say anything to get elected.”

Winfield and Shorter are competing against Gertrude Young and Tommy Wright for the Democratic nomination. The four will be on ballots May 5, with a runoff set for May 19 if none of them gets more than half the votes cast. The winner will advance to a June 2 one-on-one contest with Leyens, who is seeking a third term as an independent.

Young has said she would look at the police department the same way she would any other city department if elected, but added taking a stand on Moffett’s position without first investigating the issue would be foolish. Wright contends the problem is not Moffett, but Leyens.

Both Shorter and Winfield claim the police department under Moffett’s leadership has prioritized enforcing misdemeanor crimes over solving violent crimes and burglaries. Moffett said that’s not true.

“Service is our priority — period,” he said.

When Leyens first sought office in 2001, he called the need for improving the police department the main reason he was elected. After being hired, Moffett immediately overhauled the department, slashing the number of officers from 102 to roughly 70 — about the number on staff today. Throughout, Moffett has maintained his department has become more effective and professional, and Leyens supported that claim Friday.

“The police department eight years ago was an absolute disaster, in my opinion. We had a lot of policemen of rank who didn’t have any responsibilities. We had inconsistent outcomes. It was a very ineffective police force,” Leyens said. “Tommy has done a phenomenal job. There’s no question we have a top-notch chief, and for all those people who have something to say about you during this political season, I have the facts. I know clearly where we were and where we are now.” 

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On the agenda

On Friday, the Vicksburg Board of Mayor and Aldermen:

* Received no sealed bids for concrete, asphalt and blades, and authorized the city clerk to re-advertise for bids.

* Received sealed bids for various pool chemicals from Paradise Pools and Harcros Chemicals, both of Vicksburg.

* Authorized the city clerk to advertise sealed bids for the re-roofing of the Vicksburg Auditorium.

* Declared two vacant lots on Second North and Grammar streets surplus property and authorized the city clerk to publish a notice of sale.

* Signed a contract with Brumfield & Associates Architecture to design T-hangers. The company is to receive 6.85 percent of the total construction cost, which Mayor Laurence Leyens said will be about $300,000.

* OK’d an interlocal agreement for a Justice Assistance Grant.

* Accepted an application from Anderson-Tully Company for an ad valorem tax exemption.

* OK’d an agreement with Central Mississippi Planning and Development District for administrative services in the Delta Regional Authority grant program.

* Discussed dilapidated and overgrown lot codes regarding four properties, and authorized Director of Buildings and Inspections Victor Gray-Lewis to proceed to cut, clean and/or demolish property at 2635 Reed St., 2200 Marshall St. and 1301 Prospect St. An extension was granted to the owner of property at 722 Speed St.

* Approved a $34,000 payment to River City Electronics Inc. for the boring of gas lines on Clay Street.

* Approved a $5,201.10 payment to the Vicksburg-Tallulah Regional Airport.

* Added Kenji Holly in the water maintenance department to the city employee driving list.

* Approved reports on the city sexton, privilege license, monthly tax collection and mayor and treasure.

* Approved March 2009 budget report.

* Approved the claims docket.

In executive session, the board:

* Accepted one resignation in the police department.

* Discussed one personnel matter and one real estate matter.

The next board meeting is set for 10 a.m. May 4 in room 109 of City Hall Annex, 1415 Walnut St.

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Contact Steve Sanoski at ssanoski@vicksburgpost.com