The Centre American Legion Building, as citizens once knew it is no more! During the Tuesday, June 14 meeting of the Centre City Council, following the start of demolition the previous weekend, the council voted to proceed with cleanup.

Mayor Tony Wilkie and council members have discussed the building’s state of disrepair for some time now. Recently, after officially installing new officers, American Legion Post 62 signed the building back over to the city.

Wilkie said he and others noticed one of the walls leaning out further than normal Saturday, June 10, an indication that the rest might cave in at any time.

Citing a possible safety hazard, they opted to proceed with demolition and cleanup of the building located on Park Street next to Centre City Park. The council approved.

Council Members Sid Garrett and Bess Yarbrough reported on a recent meeting the city sponsored concerning annexation of some 100 homes in the Tates Chapel area into the Centre City Limits. The purpose of the meeting was to seek the opinions of those who reside in the area.

Garrett and Yarbrough stressed that this is not something the city is pushing. The council brought it up for discussion after receiving calls from residents who live in the area requesting to be annexed.

Unfortunately, some residents have also received mail outs, which include inaccurate information, Yarbrough said.

“Sid did a good job explaining whatever they wanted to know,” said Yarbrough. “But we wanted to make clear that they came us to be placed in the city limits.”

Since the meeting, city hall has received calls from residents requesting not to be annexed. Garrett said he has also received calls, following the meeting from residents who said, “Don’t strike me as totally against it just yet.”

“We are neutral on this,” said Yarbrough. “That was the purpose of the public meeting so people could raise their opinions.”

“The meeting did its purpose,” said Garrett.

“It got people out who were misinformed. We did have a good meeting. Through it all, it made us realize there may be another alternative, another approach.”

“Whatever is right we will do it,” said Garrett. “Whatever the people decide, we will do.”

The council met with Centre Police Chief Kirk Blankenship and adopted a Taser policy for the police department which specifies that each officer will be certified to carry a taser after successfully completing a training course.

In other police business, the council approved gathering a list of surplus items (which are no longer used by the department) for sale.

For the street and sanitation department, the council approved a $3,000 upgrade to the city’s new track loader prior to its delivery.

With the exception of one small glitch, Mayor Wilkie reported that things are in full swing at the Centre Swimming Pool. Wilkie said they had to replace a propeller on the motor.

Swimming lessons have gone well, he said. This year’s lessons include adult lessons and aerobics.