By Fred Guarino
The Lowndes Signal

The town of Fort Deposit has a new police chief.

Fort Deposit Mayor Fletcher Fountain administered the oath of office during Monday night’s regular Town Council meeting to Brandon Thomas who had been serving as the town’s acting police chief.

Fountain thanked the council, calling the decision to appoint Thomas a “wise choice.”

“I know that you who are sitting here will agree that Officer Thomas has done a good job with the town of Fort Deposit. He stepped up, and he took control. And he knows how to treat people,” he said.

Fountain also said the town has good, young, police officers who are doing a tremendous job.

Thomas has been with the Fort Deposit Police Department three years and is a graduate of the Police Academy in Montgomery.

“I’m exciting about it. I think I can bring a change to the town. I’m looking forward to bringing new things,” said Thomas.

Fountain told the council that a company from Evergreen is looking to expand and called for a meeting with the Industrial Board, the Economic Development Board, council members who can attend and Lowndes County Commissioner Robert Harris.

Fountain said the plant would employ 100-150 people.

Paula Westmoreland, gifted education teacher for Lowndes County Public Schools, appeared before the council with two her of Alabama History Day award winners Montez Baity and Orianna Gordon, both of Lowndes County Middle School.

Baity and Xavier Simpson of Hayneville Middle School presented an exhibit board on the Lowndes County Freedom Organization of the 1960’s. Gordon and Santanna Thomas and Harold Hulett of Hayneville Middle School wrote and performed a historical play about the same organization.

Both groups placed second and earned the right to travel to National History Day at the University of Maryland.

Westmoreland said the cost will be $500 per student and asked that donations be sent to Central Middle School.

In other actions, the council
•Approved an on premises beer license for the Sunflower Café.
•Approved the execution of a $25,000 grant for a new police car. The town will have to match the grant in the amount of $9,033.
•Approved the purchase of pickup truck for the town at a cost of $3,500.
•Approved the sending of letters to people with building that need to be torn down and old cars that need to be taken care of to do so or face fines.
•Approved the minutes of the previous meeting.
•Approved the scrapping of old police cars and using the money for uniforms or vehicle maintenance.