Granite Shoals names Boshears police chief; deer petition on ballot

JENNIFER FIERRO • STAFF WRITER

GRANITE SHOALS — After three months as the interim Granite Shoals police chief, Gary Boshears can put that behind him.

At least, the “interim” part.

During an Aug. 15 meeting, City Manager Ken Nickel announced that Boshears is the city’s new police chief. Nickel said during his interim time, Boshears demonstrated positive leadership and an effective management style.

“He has a very good analytical mind,” Nickel said. “He’s able to communicate extremely well.”

And it’s not just with his own officers, the city manager said. Boshears also has talked to the city council to explain the processes of the way the department works. Nickel said he has been pleased with the way Boshears has handled himself with different people in various situations.

Boshears took over the department May 6 after Nickel decided the department needed a change in direction from former police chief J.P. Wilson.

Before being named the interim police chief, Boshears served as the department’s captain.

Nickel also told the city council that staff members verified 58 signatures on a petition against the city’s deer feeding ban that city hall received last week from the Granite Shoals Citizens’ Advisory Group. In all, 81 signatures were turned in; however, after staff members confirmed 58, they stopped checking since 50 were needed for the ballot.

Voters will be asked on a Nov. 8 ballot whether the city should adopt the ordinance, which includes fines on the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth citations in a calendar year. The city council approved the ordinance earlier this summer, but the citizens’ advisory group took issue with some parts of the rule.

“Council said they want the people to speak on this issue,” Nickel said.

Council members also looked at the preliminary budget that included “everything they requested,” Nickel said, adding they began to prioritize what needs to be addressed in the next fiscal year and what can wait until later.

The city manager said the council will not allow more than a 2 cent increase per $100 valuation on the tax rate. He added he believes it will be closer to a 1.67 cent increase per $100 valuation.

The council has two public hearings scheduled before members are asked to vote on it Sept. 16.

The first public hearing is Aug. 23; the second is Sept. 7. Both are at 6 p.m. in the council chambers, 2221 N. Phillips Ranch Road.

Nickel said the council encourages residents to attend the public hearings and “express any concerns or issues.”

During the Aug. 15 workshop, Nickel and the council discussed plans for the upcoming year and what the city could realistically afford.

“We talked about needs we need and made compromises,” Nickel said. “It was a good detailed meeting. There was nothing put in stone, noting put to bed yet.”

jfierro@thepicayune.com