(Posted Sept. 22, 2016)
By Sandi Latimer, Staff Writer
West Jefferson has a new part-time police officer.
Michael A. Orahood was sworn in at village council’s Sept. 19 meeting.
Orahood has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and criminal justice. He also works part-time for the village’s public service department.
As a police officer, he will be paid at the one-year level of $15.69 an hour. Since he works two part-time positions for the village, he is eligible for benefits as a full-time employee. Council passed a resolution to grant him those benefits.
Public Service Director John Mitchell said Orahood has worked for his department for the past four or five years.
“It is nice to see a young man fulfill his dreams,” Mitchell said.
Two other resolutions were approved. One elevates Arnie Booth to a full-time position as zoning and code enforcement inspector, a job he had been performing on a part-time basis. The other allows for the village’s annual donation to the West Jefferson Community Association’s Ox Roast festival; the amount is $3,000.
Council approved a supplemental appropriation of $10,000 for building inspection services. The original appropriation has been depleted and more funds were needed to finish out the year.
Mitchell reported that he resealed the municipal swimming pool after it was drained at the end of the season.
“It looks good, but I won’t know if it works until we fill it,” he said.
Parks and Recreation Director Marci Darlington is looking ahead to the fall season. She said she has had requests to revive the tradition of painting downtown business store windows. She will post guidelines on the village’s Facebook page.
