The Mountain Eagle
WHITESBURG WEATHER

Neon chief wants citizens to address police directly instead of using Facebook




Fleming-Neon Police Chief Mike Dingus wants the town’s citizens to contact the police department when they have a law enforcement issue rather than posting it on social media websites such as Facebook or Topix.

Dingus said he recently learned of dog problems in the city because some residents had posted it on Internet sites. He told the Fleming- Neon City Council that he has been working to address the issue, but added that for faster results it would be much better if citizens contact the police department directly.

“If you have a complaint, call us. That’s what we’re here for,” said Dingus, who added that it is difficult to address a problem if officers have to wait until they learn about it from Facebook.

In other business at its March meeting, the city council learned that although funds are no longer funds available through the federal PRIDE program for its annual monthly cleanup, the city will still hold a weeklong, citywide cleaning from April 21-25.

City Foreman Jake Johnson told the council that a week is as much as the city can afford to fund. He said that during the pick-up period, citizens of Fleming-Neon should put the items they want to be collected at the same place they regularly put their garbage. Johnson said that tires and roofing material are not accepted at the landfill and the city will not pick up either.

In other business, Water Department Supervisor Chris Banks reported that a power outage at a pump station in McRoberts at Shorty Hollow had caused iron to get into the water system and created red and brown water. Banks said he contacted the Kentucky Department of Water and followed its guidelines “exactly by the book.” He said that although the water was discolored, it was safe. Banks said the situation will continue periodically until the city can afford new filters for the water plant. He said he is working with Nesbitt Engineering to secure funding for the project and added that getting new filters is a priority.

Banks also reported that water losses in February were only eight percent and said he is very proud of the city’s water workers for their hard work and they have been very proactive in locating and stopping water leaks. Mayor Susie Polis added that she is also proud of the water workers and she is aware that they do everything they can to make the system work.

In other business, Councilman James D. Collins told the council that sidewalks in front of God’s Pantry are in bad shape. Polis said the problem is around the steps. She said the situation has been made worse because of damage from road salt and the fact that people sometimes pull their vehicles up onto the steps.

Councilman Tom Haynes added that there are still stretches of sidewalk in Fleming that also need to be repaired. Polis said the city is waiting for funds for both areas.



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