City Council

Fayette Police Chief Danny Jenkins told the Fayette City Council at its April 13 meeting that a policeman position would be posted within the next few days to replace a retiring officer. All council members were present for the meeting. Former Mayor Ray Nelson led the council in prayer prior to the beginning of the meeting. Jenkins said that Police Lieutenant Charles Walker, a veteran officer with approximately 22 years of service, will be retiring effective May 30.

The Fayette City Council voted to purchase a new backhoe for the street and sanitation department. All council members were present for the meeting. Prior to the start of the meeting, two members of the local Girl Scout Troop were present to lead the council in prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Morgan Bahm led the prayer and Paige Bahm led the pledge. Marty Weeks, supervisor for the street and sanitation department, said that the city had received two bids for a new backhoe.

The Fayette City Council voted to raise its rates for weekend parties at the Fayette Aquatic Center to $500 each for the 2021 season. All council members were present for the meeting. Aquatic Center Administrator Chris Champion spoke to the council concerning the current rates at the center. Champion said that as they were preparing to open for the aquatic center’s ninth season, they are proposing an increase in the price for a weekend party. He said that season passes and the daily admission price would stay the same, as would the price for weekday parties.

The Fayette City Council presented its annual appropriations to the three public schools within the city limits at its Feb. 23 meeting. All council members were present for the meeting. Checks for $5,000 each were presented to Fayette Elementary School, Fayette Middle School and Fayette County High School.

The Fayette City Council approved the purchase of a speed patrol trailer during its Feb. 9 meeting. All council members were present for the meeting. Prior to the start of the meeting, Dr. John Killian, director of the Fayette County Baptist Association, opened the meeting with prayer. Tre Pinkerton, a senior at Fayette County High School, led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance.

The Fayette City Council voted to stagger the terms for members of the Fayette Zoning Board of Adjustment during its Jan. 26 meeting. All board members were present for the meeting. Prior to the meeting, Floyd Rodgers, associate pastor for Peaceful Rest Missionary Baptist Church in Fayette, led those in attendance in prayer. Jayce Smith, a six-grade student at Fayette Middle School and a member of Boy Scout Troop 45, led the Pledge of Allegiance.

The Fayette City Council approved a one-time pay adjustment for City Court Magistrate Dorrie Rushing at the request of Fayette Municipal Judge Steven Nolen. All council members were present for the meeting. Prior to the beginning of the meeting, Southside Baptist Church pastor Robert Parrish led the prayer and Fayette County High School student Will Brown led the pledge. Fayette Mayor Rod Northam said that the past two years, Rushing had not received an extra $3,000 per year as she had received in previous years. He said that the $4,500 would be paid out of municipal court funds.

The Fayette City Council approved an alcohol permit for Heenak LLC, doing business as Spirit Food Mart, during its Dec. 22 meeting. All council members were present for the meeting. Miracle Bailey led those in attendance in prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance prior to the beginning of the meeting. A public hearing was held to discuss the proposed alcohol license for Spirit Mart. No one in attendance spoke either for or against the proposed license. Councilman Jerry Nichols made a motion to approve a license for the business to sell beer and table wine for off-premises consumption.

A stalwart member of the Belk community beginning her eighth term on the Belk Town Council passed away on Friday, Dec. 18 after losing her battle with the COVID-19 virus. Jeannie Hollingsworth, age 69 of Belk, had been visiting with her daughter Dana Hollingsworth in Charlottesville, Va. during Thanksgiving week when she became ill and was taken to the hospital. Dana Hollingsworth said that her mother was admitted to the hospital with “COVID-related symptoms” from which she never recovered.

Former Fayette City Councilman, Robert Neil McCabe, passed away at his home on Saturday, Dec. 19 following a short illness at the age of 90. McCabe was first elected to the Fayette City Council in 1992, then was re-elected to a second term in 1996. He served his first term under the direction of Fayette Mayor Jerry Bobo, and his second term was served under the leadership of Mayor Wayne Meherg.