Published: November 30, 2008 08:49 pm      

Smoking, police chief on council agenda

By Janet Jacobs

Daily Sun



The proposed smoking ordinance, which would prohibit smoking in all workplaces in Corsicana, including restaurants, is on the agenda for approval at the 6 p.m. Corsicana City Council meeting Tuesday at the Government Center, 200 N. 12th St.

The council discussed the ordinance at a work session on Nov. 18, but took no action. This time, the item is up for a vote of the council.

The proposal was made by members of IMPACT Corsicana, V.O.I.C.E. and Boys and Girls Club of Navarro County.

Getting smoking out of workplaces, including restaurants, is a health issue and a youth drug issue, said Alvis Reeves, with IMPACT Corsicana.

Some restaurateurs have objected that the ban could hurt business in a time of economic difficulty.

In addition, the council will be asked to approve the hiring of Randy Bratton for police chief. If approved, he will begin on Dec. 8. He will replace former chief G.M. Cox, who retired, then took a job in another city. Ladena Baggett has been acting as interim police chief since Cox left Oct. 1.

Bratton, 44, is the former police chief in Paducah, Ky., and was chosen as the lone finalist in the police chief search. The city council will vote on the selection Tuesday.

The city did not release a list of finalists before announcing Bratton was the choice.

Bratton began his 24-year career in St. Petersburg, Fla., where he spent 17 years rising through those ranks, and for the last seven years he’s been chief in Paducah. He resigned under some pressure in July, with his last day in September.

The hiring committee consisting of City Manager Connie Standridge, Mayor C.L. “Buster” Brown, Councilwoman Ruby Williams, and the Rev. B.F. Risinger, didn’t have any concerns about his recent problems in Paducah.

In a telephone interview, Bratton said he’s looking forward to coming to Corsicana. He has a wife, Jenny, who is an attorney, and two teenage children.

Bratton said he has experience both in Florida and Kentucky working with diverse populations, and he emphasizes community policing as a priority.

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Janet Jacobs may be reached via e-mail at jacobs@corsicanadailysun.com