Puckett named interim chief
By Staff
Leada Gore, Hartselle Enquirer
On a night when the outgoing police chief was honored, a current captain was named to at least temporarily fill that post.
Hartselle's City Council met Tuesday night and passed resolutions honoring outgoing police chief Ron Merkh. A separate resolution was passed honoring retired fire chief Ricky Joe Smith.
At the same meeting, Capt. Ron Puckett was named interim police chief. He will begin his duties following Merkh's Feb. 1 retirement. A schedule for interviewing candidates for the police chief position has not been established.
On the same night Merkh was honored, the council also reappointed municipal Judge Mike Broom. Merkh had opposed Broom's reappointment and had earlier addressed the council on the matter, saying Broom didn't support the department in his sentencing.
In other city council action: