CORDELE- The Crisp County Board of Commissioners met for their regularly scheduled meeting for the month on Tuesday, May 8.

First on the agenda was the adoption of two separate proclamations through the Crisp County UGA Extension Office that were made by the County Administrator. The first was a proclamation made declaring May 2018 Older Americans Month to help promote a good lifestyle for older citizens in the community. The second was a proclamation marking the week as Food Allergy Awareness Week to help bring to light the threat many children in America face because of certain allergies.

Up next, Sheriff Billy Hancock and other employees from Crisp County Sheriff’s Office were on hand to receive a plaque for their recent State Certification. Crisp County Sheriff’s Office is now one of only 22 state certified sheriff’s agencies in the state of Georgia. Certification is a progressive and time-proven way of helping law enforcement agencies calculate and improve their overall performances. The foundation of certification lies in the promulgation of standards containing a clear statement of professional objectives.
Participating agencies conduct a thorough self-analysis to determine how existing operations can be adapted to meet these objectives. When the procedures are in place, a team of trained assessors verifies that applicable standards have been successfully implemented. The process culminates with a decision by a joint executive committee that the agency has met the requirements for certification.
Certification status represents a significant professional achievement. Certification acknowledges the implementation of policies and procedures that are conceptually sound and operationally effective.
Sheriff Hancock remains committed to providing the exemplary law enforcement services and management professionalism necessary to maintain State Certification.
The benefits of certification include:

• Confirmation that agency practices are consistent with progressive professional standards
• Greater operational and administrative effectiveness
• Enhanced understanding of agency policies and practices
• Greater public confidence in the agency
• Recognition in the field of outstanding achievement
• Reduced liability potential
• Greater governmental and community support

“Everybody in the agency had to work hard, from the 911 center to every division we have. I can’t thank the staff, the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office enough,” said Sheriff Billy Hancock.

Sheriff Hancock also briefly spoke about the fundraiser event for Savannah Parker, in which the community raised over $31,000. Between 800 and 1000 people attended the event.

The commissioners then revisited the controversial decision about the rezoning of a parcel of property at 158 South Coney Rd. from RS2 (Single Family Residential) to I (Industrial) for the purpose of railroad car storage area. After gaining some new information in reference to the project and legal matters associated with it, the commissioners decided to again gather more information and make the final decision on the rezone in the near future. The commissioners will make an upcoming announcement specifying when they will be making a final decision on the matter.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Crisp County Board of Commissioners will be on Tuesday, June 12, at 9 a.m. in the government building located at 210 S 7th St.