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Show Centerville: Start Car Allowance? By GARY R. BLODGETT CENTERVILLE - What's to become of Centerville's ' uy-owned vehicles parked in a storage area near City MAYOR NEIL Blackburn told the city council that the cars should be sold, at least those that are not essential to Ine operation of the city. Centerville has 11 city-owned vehicles but seven of jhose care are equipped for police use, it was explained. of the four remaining vehicles is kept in reserve for Pice use when one of the regular patrol cars is out of service. ALSO, ONE vehicle was previously earmarked for use "y 'he City Administrator but the council has decided - by ! a vote of 3-1 -- to allow the administrator and public works lrector a ear allowance of up to a maximum $250 per month. Councilman Norman Wright cast the dissenting vote and Councilman Dennis Knoles was absent. IT WAS also agreed that the police chief and two lieutenants lieute-nants and d?tective? 'r-,J be allowed a maximum of $350 per month tor nse o1 f-: personal cars. "I just can't approve the concept of car allowances and therefore am voting against the proposal," said Councilman Council-man Wright. "We have to answer to the public for money we spend and I can't make myself logically account for this type of a proeram." COUNCILMAN Lee Duncan at first said he was against the program, too, but later changed his mind and said he would support the program if a complete study of the car program and car allowance were thoroughly studied for the remainder of the fiscal year. He noted that many citizens don't approve of the chief and detectives driving their own vehicles and suggested that a complete analysis of the program, public reaction, 'use of gasoline, etc., be made before the end of the fiscal year. THE COUNCIL also agreed that a study be made of the use by city employees of gasoline from pumps at the city shops. In making the motion to approve the car allowances, Councilman Steve Campbell said, "The mentioned city employees are on call 24 hours a day and need a vehicle for immediate use. I can see their side of the story." MAYOR BLACKBURN suggested that an inventory of the city-owned cars be made and that "excess vehicles" be sold. |