1 NOV 06: THE OFF-BEAT

Three veteran Columbus police officers retired from the force Tuesday - officers who combined for more than 100 years of service. It's nice to know Jim Wetherington already is lining up his mayoral staff....

One of the retired officers is Sergeant Jim Warren. He told WRBL when he began with Columbus police, there was only one squad car for every beat. So somehow, public safety obtained money for more cars over the last few decades - but perhaps the car prices went up faster than the drivers' pay.

Sgt. Jim Warren added at the start of every shift, Columbus Police used to trade out shotguns in the backs of their cars. The new officers would check to ensure the guns were loaded, then head for their first call. Don't you wonder how many hunters forgot to do that at 4:00 a.m., on the first morning of deer season?

This news story struck me as interesting for several reasons. Do you mean some Columbus police officers actually have spent more than 30 years on the force? Why didn't they jump to some other police department for a higher salary? Did they fear becoming labeled like bank robbers - who "take the money and run?"

Scenes such as this also raise questions about one of the biggest issues in the mayor's race. Who will fill the holes created by retirements in the police department? Even if Jim Wetherington loses next Tuesday, he's only one extra man on the force....

I don't know the breakdown of how many police vacancies are due to retirement, as opposed to other reasons. But critics of public safety make it sound like more and more officers leave Columbus for better paychecks elsewhere. So the city eventually may save money, with no more gold watches to hand out.

Could it be that the "old guard' on the Columbus Police Department is more loyal to the city, than younger officers enticed away by more money? Or are the younger officers really hoping to make a financial windfall, by selling their homes to all the extra soldiers?

As far as I know, the Columbus Fraternal Order of Police is NOT making phone calls backing Jim Wetherington in the mayor's race. But I received another one of those F.O.P. fund-raising calls the other night -- the second in four months [22 Jun]. Maybe they're trying to top the United Way, for the longest moneymaking campaign of the year.

I told the telemarketer from Who-Knows-Where I guessed the Fraternal Order of Police hadn't met its fund-raising goal yet. "No, we haven't," he said.

"What's your goal?"

"Our goal?" Yes, like the thermometer outside a United Way office. I don't mean you have a quota for traffic tickets.

"Yes, your goal."

"It's -- really high." The telemarketer was starting to sound like a drug suspect caught in an undercover sting.

"How high?"

"My manager would have to tell you that." I didn't bother asking for the manager. He might have traced my number back to Columbus, and had me arrested for turning it into a harassing phone call.

Our writing time is limited, because of Wednesday morning's special event - so we'll hang up on that telemarketer and mention other Tuesday headlines:

+ Vivian Carter decided to accept the contract to be Russell County School Superintendent. But after the debate of the last few weeks, I have a funny feeling she'll have an unlisted home address.

+ Alatech Healthcare announced it will reduce jobs at its Eufaula plant - a factory which makes condoms for the federal government. I must admit I'm shocked by this. They can't hold out until Democrats take control of Congress?!

+ A Macon radio station switched from "alternative rock" to all-Christmas music - yes, on October 31. [True/AllAccess.com] Who knows how many children were inspired by this, and went trick-or-treating dressed as Santa Claus.

(A Clear Channel station made this change to go all-Christmas on Halloween. That's the same radio chain which switches "Sunny 100 FM" in Columbus in the middle of November. A snowman light display was up Tuesday at Heritage Park downtown -- so is there a payoff going on here somewhere?)

+ Instant Message to Ed DuBose of the Georgia NAACP: I can understand your continuing concern about the Kenneth Walker case. But when you addressed Columbus Council Tuesday, did you have to have a cell phone stuck in your ear? Or was your presentation going to a conference call in Atlanta?

BURKARD'S BEST BETS: Two-for-one tickets to Friday's America concert, today only at the RiverCenter.... Halloween candy half-price at Target and CVS.... and pumpkins being left along curbs all over own....

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