ABERDEEN — Things look to be calming down for the Aberdeen Board of Aldermen.
The board was scolded just once during the citizen comments portion of its Tuesday meeting, and the topic didn”t even concern the notorious Aberdeen Electric Department. And when another citizen demanded new Electric Department Superintendent Jerry Ledbetter explain negative rumors circulating throughout town regarding his character, the board was quick to jump to his defense.
“This is not an inquisition,” said Ward 5 Alderman John Allen in dismissing Sammy Burroughs” demand.
The electric department was discussed briefly as the board voted to have Police Chief Henry Randle turn the keys to the building over to Ledbetter. Randle has been unlocking and locking the electric department building every day since March when paperwork and security footage sought by the Aberdeen Police Department went missing.
Randle agreed to relinquish the keys to the building but requested the police receive the keys to the security lock box at the electric department, which contains the video surveillance files.
The board voted to give Randle the keys to the lock box, with Allen casting the lone dissenting vote.
“Why not give that to the new manager, too?” he asked.
Ledbetter said he had no problem giving Randle the keys to the security lock box if it would make citizens feel safer.
Jason Browne was previously a reporter for The Dispatch.
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