CALEDONIA — Christmas is more than a month away, but Caledonia Town Marshall Ben Kilgore was grinning just the same Tuesday night after receiving a unanimous go-ahead from the Board of Aldermen to purchase a new police cruiser.
The white, 2010 Dodge Charger, the cheaper of two options he presented, will cost $24,326 and will be purchased from Champion Dodge in Gulfport.
In addition to the new car, Kilgore also received approval to get new brakes and tires for his current vehicle, at a cost not to exceed $1,000.
Last month, Kilgore’s car was damaged after he approached wanted felon Michael Ray Helms while Helms was attempting to use a stolen credit card at the Texaco on Wolf Road.
Helms fled the scene, leading Kilgore — along with Lowndes County Sheriff’s Deputies Larry Swearingen and Scott Glasgow — on a high-speed chase throughout town. The pursuit ended, and the suspect was apprehended, when Helms crashed his car in a ditch on Land Road near Columbus Air Force Base.
In other news, the aldermen discussed posting signs to keep teenagers from loitering afterhours in Ola J. Pickett Park and erecting a “No Trucks” sign to keep large trucks from entering South Street, which ends in a sharp “T” at Academy Drive, offering no easy turnaround.
The town recently had to replace a fire hydrant — at a cost of $3,150 — after a truck damaged the one at the intersection of South Street and Academy Drive while attempting to turn around.
The board also approved plans for a number of upcoming events, including a Caledonia Elementary School parade on Nov. 18 at 1:30 p.m. to celebrate its “Star School” ranking from the Mississippi Department of Education, and the Dec. 3 Christmas parade, which will be organized by event chairman Jackie Savage and themed: “We Found Christmas in Caledonia.”
The board tabled discussions of purchasing new town maps from Glen-based Southern Engineering until consultant Angela McDonald can be present. The company has agreed to provide 500 maps to the town for $300 if the aldermen sell advertising to local businesses. Participating business owners will receive 25 complimentary maps. The maps are available in black and white or color.
The board also agreed to hire accountant Dale Pierce to perform the town’s 2009-2010 audit, at a cost not to exceed $3,000, and agreed to pay for repairs to the water tank on Stanley Road, at a cost not to exceed $5,000.
Carmen K. Sisson is the former news editor at The Dispatch.
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