Four Havelock officers to be presented Medals of Valor

Four Havelock police officers will be presented medals at tonight’s board of commissioners meeting for entering a burning residence to save three children on Feb. 12.

Sergeant Ken Gillis, Officer David Jackson Jr., Officer William Preslar and Officer Joshua Casassa will be presented Havelock Police Department Medals of Valor for their courage, commitment and dedication to the community and the law enforcement profession by acting selflessly to assist others.

The officers responded to an emergency 911 call at 932 Sunset Drive regarding a residential structure fire with three children possibly inside.

Upon arriving at the scene, the officers observed thick smoke billowing from the structure with the mother of the children frantically indicating that children were still inside the burning building.

Acting without concern for their own personal safety, the four officers entered the residence in an attempt to locate the children and bring them out to safety.

After searching the residence it was determined no one remained inside.

Once outside the officers determined that the three children had reached an area of safety prior to the officers’ arrival.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the city hall.

In other business the board will:

-        hold a public hearing on the rezoning of 404 Miller Boulevard a 4.36 acre property owned by the Lawrence J. Bayer Jr. and Trustees of Lawrence J. Bayer Revocable Trust. The owners want to have the property rezoned from R-7 Residential and R-MH Residential Mobile Home to R-M Multi-Family.

-        hear a March 2009 monthly financial report from finance director Lee Tillman.

-        consider a budget amendment decreasing the General Fund by $541,400 due to unanticipated expenses in the water and sewer funds.

-        hear that the city’s rating from the N.C. Municipal Council Report and Rating has risen from 77 to 78 points.

-        hear a request from Place Properties for sewer allocation for Independence Place at Cherry Point, former known as Neuse Landing. The request is for 83,520 gallons per day.

-        consider adoption of an amended and finalized Solid Waste ordinance in order to proceed with implementation of the solid waste collection contract with Waste Industries on July 1.

-        consider adoption of a criminal history check ordinance that would permit  the Police Department to conduct criminal history checks on prospective employees through the use of the department’s SBI/DCI computer data terminal.

-        fill an empty seat on the Havelock Appearance Commission vacated with the resignation of Kelly Berry.

-        consider adoption of resolution amending the original resolution which created the Eastern Carolina Aviation Heritage Foundation by converting the Havelock Historical Preservation Society seat to an ex-officio non-voting seat and adding one at-large seat.

-        consider the Westbrooke VIII Final Plan Agreement, dedication and acceptance of water/sewer and streets for Pebble Street and Summer Lane.

-        consider the Slocum Woods Agreement, dedication and acceptance of water/sewer and streets.

-        consider the Tucker Creek Woods, Phase One Agreement dedication and acceptance of water and sewer.

-        consider approval of the Craven County Board of Elections Agreement to authorize the Havelock board of commissioners to conduct elections in Havelock.