26 JUN 07: SWAT'S THE DEAL?

We noted last week how the Muscogee County Jail had its flag at half-staff, while the Public Safety Center did not. On Monday we read about another law enforcement division - and if the weapons have moved from poles to guns, I don't think that's an improvement.

WRBL reports the SWAT team for Russell County has split in two, into city and county camps. It's apparently all because a Russell County SWAT member was told to leave a City of Phenix City practice range. It's a good thing the SWAT members don't have post-traumatic stress disorder, or trouble might have started right there.

Phenix City Manager Bubba Roberts explains he ordered a Russell County SWAT member off the practice range several weeks ago because that member was a part-timer, not a sworn full-time officer. He says there could have been liability issues. I say this could be a great opportunity for Shooters to expand to Alabama.

Had the Russell County SWAT member received permission from the Phenix City Police Chief to use the firing range, everything might have been OK. But Chief Brian McGarr said he granted no such written approval. Why, he still hasn't approved the removal of the "Club Roc" sign on the 280 Bypass.

In response to this decision by the Phenix City Manager, Russell County Sheriff Tommy Boswell has barred his department's SWAT team members from using the firing range at all. Of course, the sheriff can build his own range for deputies - assuming he hasn't already spent that big raise.

(There was another possible way for Sheriff Tommy Boswell to respond to this. Trouble was, his share of the SWAT team is five members - while Phenix City's ten would have him outnumbered.)

News of this tension comes just as Phenix City and Russell County finally have agreed on a combined animal shelter. Now I'm wondering if Judge Al Johnson will have to oversee a "dispersal draft" of potential K-9 squad members.

Sometimes I wonder why Phenix City and Russell County don't consolidate their governments, the way Columbus has and Quitman County is doing. But it's not really that easy - because part of the Phenix City limits is in Lee County, and sucking up Hurtsboro could leave some people there with nothing to complain about.

As for Columbus law enforcement, WRBL reported Monday that Major Charles Rowe will be appointed Assistant Police Chief. This is a completely new name to me - but then, it's all my fault. I make it a point to drive at the speed limit, to meet as few officers as possible.

E-MAIL UPDATE: The Pioneer prairie fire isn't quite contained yet....

To all the parents at Pioneer Little League who are complaining about Rick Chadwick - I don't see anywhere in your letters where you have said that one of you will step up to the plate and VOLUNTEER to become President which takes a great deal of time, oh yeah, that would take up some of your time!!!

The biggest thing wrong with Little League is PARENTS - the kids just want to play and have fun - let them do this and stop taking it so seriously!

B-League Pirate Coach Philip Miley told me last week he's involved with Little League baseball 25 hours a week during the season - and he hasn't had a child play in Pioneer in ten years. And they're talking about declaring video games addictive?!

Some of the Pirate parents probably would answer this message by saying they DO volunteer time. They work at concession stands, help their children sell raffle tickets to raise money - and I suspect it's still a rare sight to see car pools taking players to practices.

Now for other notes from a Monday when thunder in the sky seemed to make the most noise:

+ Which man is accused of trying to pass a counterfeit 100-dollar bill at a local business - then asking for it back, when a business employee called police about it? Did he want to correct the spelling of "States?"

+ WXTX "News at Ten" reported African-American students now make up 32 percent of Columbus State University's enrollment. The percentage has increased 50 percent in five years - and if this trend continues, by its centennial C.S.U. could be considered a "historically black college."

+ The evening news showed a 20-foot-high agave plant, which is growing wild on Hunter Street. The agave plant is used to make tequila - so hurry to local farmers' markets before the limes run out.

+ The LaGrange Memorial Library opened for the first time in seven weeks, after a sprinkler line broke and flooded the building. So how many books about plumbing were opened, while crews repaired this?

+ Instant Message to the city of Lanett: Wow - you have a Club Roc, too?! You should have been watching the news recently. Phenix City shut down its version BEFORE the big brawl happened....

COMING WEDNESDAY: Rivalry week begins in Columbus.... a rivalry no one could have expected months ago....

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