Sumpter sends Gannon, McGlynn to EMU Staff & Command school

Sumpter Township Police Sgts. Patrick Gannon and Christopher McGlynn have been sent to the Eastern Michigan University School of Police Staff and Command.
At its Feb. 11 meeting, the Sumpter Township Board of Trustees unanimously approved the total cost of $6,000 for the advanced training. It will be taken from the police department’s 302 training funds.
Captain Eric Luke attended this same training, graduating in November 2010.
“I sent Luke and he is the best commander I ever had,” said Police Chief James Pierce, Jr. “I want two more Captain Lukes. This will help them grow.”
The Staff and Command Program is designed to assist with career development for both current senior police and new police executives interested in advancing into the upper police management positions, Chief Pierce said in a memo to the board.
“The curriculum itself is an intensive undergraduate and graduate level program consisting of 350 hours of classroom instruction. The curriculum is designed to take the police student beyond traditional operational methods and expose the students to conceptual thinking and problem solving while also paving the way for further advancement to senior leadership positions within their department,” Chief Pierce wrote.
In other business at the 15-minute, Feb. 11 meeting, the board:
• Voted to have Clerk Clarence Hoffman chair the meeting since Supervisor Johnny Vawters was absent and excused. Trustee Bill Hamm also was absent and excused;
• Set a public hearing for 6 p.m., Feb. 25, to discuss use of the 2014-15 Community Development Block Grant funding, which is estimated at $105,370.81. Joan Hennessey, the township’s CDBG consultant, recommended transferring $9,160 in public service money, if available from the county, from housing rehab to services, which the board voted to do. It all will be discussed at the public hearing;
• Heard Hennessey agree to look into Clerk Hoffman’s request to use CDBG funds for an electronic sign for the senior center;
• Approved signing a contract for 2014 with SMART (Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation) Specialized Service, at the same funding as last year;
• Heard Fire Chief Januszyk announce that a free CPR class for citizens is scheduled for 6 p.m. March 10 and seating is limited. A card can be purchased for $5;
• Heard Chief Januszyk announce that the new truck has been ordered and is expected sometime in October;
• Re-approved the Police Sergeant and Lieutenant collective bargaining agreement. It was first passed Sept. 24 with minor changes and this will officially approve the changed agreement;
• Heard Senior Director Mary Ann Watson remind everyone that the Black History Month event is on Friday, Feb. 28 at the community center;
• Heard Deputy Treasurer Karen Armatis announce that Feb. 28 is the last day taxes can be paid at the township. After that, people have to pay the taxes at Wayne County; and
• Went into closed door session to discuss two attorney opinion letters, one on an employee and one on the library millage.