Stripling promoted to lieutenant

Daleville Police Chief Harvey Mathis surprised code enforcement officer Sgt. Wayne Stripling at the Daleville City Council meeting Dec. 18, when he promoted him to lieutenant.

Stripling arrived at the meeting Tuesday night believing he was there to discuss an ordinance violation, but was surprised when Mayor Claudia Wigglesworth called him up and told him to put his paperwork down.

Within seconds, Wigglesworth began describing to the larger than usual crowd Stripling’s role as code enforcement officer.

Mathis followed by saying a few words and then handed Stripling a promotional order and lieutenant badge.

“Part of having a winning team is having the right people in the right place,” Mathis said. “I’m very happy to have Lt. Stripling over code enforcement.”

Stripling has been with the Daleville Police Department since 1999. He has more than 11 years of experience in code enforcement.

Stripling was reappointed to code enforcement officer in March.

“It is a group effort, city effort (and) I’m proud to be a part of it,” he said. “I enjoy my job. I’m going to continue doing it the best I know how or until they get rid of me.”

In other news, Wigglesworth and council members recognized two Daleville City Schools' programs and presented them with checks.

The Daleville High School JROTC department was presented with a check for $2,000 and the band program received a check for $2,500.

Present at the meeting, were the two department heads and several students.

DHS JROTC senior Army instructor retired Lt. Col. Chris Miller said the funds will help the JROTC teams with travel expenses and competition entry fees.

Band director Mark Nichols said the band program has been saving up money to purchase more concert band jackets and plans to use the funding to assist with the overall purchase.

"The band has outgrown the ones we currently use and we must purchase more," Nichols said. "The jackets cost $170 each as they are custom made. We need 25 of them for a total of $4,250, so we are still short some money. Hopefully, other band fundraisers can provide enough funds or other possible donations to the band."

The money provided by the city was allocated in the 2014 fiscal year budget.

In continuing with presentations, the city also recognized and thanked the staff of the Daleville Recreation Department for planning and hosting the Daleville Holiday Light Parade and Market Dec. 6.

Those recognized were: recreation department director Marie Sanders, Tina Cannon, Kevin Seaton, Liz and Seth Waldrop and James Meissner.

The Daleville Public Library staff was also recognized for assisting Rep. Steve Clouse with transportation.

In other business, council members approved several board appointments for positions expiring Dec. 31.

Council members reappointed Debra Latremore to the Planning Commission and Scott Moore to the Daleville Redevelopment Authority for terms ending in 2019. Jan Robertson was also reappointed to the Tree City Board for a term ending in 2016.

Board appointments are still available on the Board of Adjustments (for a term ending in 2016), Library Board (for a term ending in 2017), Tree City Board (for a term ending in 2016) and the Daleville Redevelopment Authority (for a term ending in 2019).

For more information on city boards, or how to apply, contact Daleville City Hall at 598-2345.

The Daleville City Council will meet again at 5:30 p.m., Jan. 7, at city hall.