Police Department Mutual Aid Agreement Approved

During last week’s meeting the Pine Mountain Town Council formally approved a mutual aid agreement between the town’s police department and Shiloh Police Department.

The agreement came at the request of newly appointed Pine Mountain Police Chief Chris Nance who compared it to the mutual aid agreements that exist between fire departments. Nance said the agreement was being updated with the town’s change in police department leadership and that similar mutual aid agreements would be sought with other area police departments.

The mutual aid agreement was approved with a unanimous vote.

The council approved dedicating the Pine Mountain Public Safety Center to the late David White who served as police chief in the town for 27 years, following eight years as an officer in the department. The request comes 18 years after the building was constructed and was made by White’s son, Carl White.

The idea had been previously proposed by former police chief Daniel Ferrone, but never made it to council in the face of some opposition. The council approved the request by a 4-1 vote with Thomas Scott casting the dissenting ballot.

Since the council meeting, there has been some pushback from firefighters as the town’s fire department is housed in the facility as well.

There is a plaque in the building that includes White’s name as police chief along with Wayne Holloway who was fire chief at the time the facility was completed. Both have since passed.

THE council also held the second reading and approved an on-premises malt beverage and wine permit for Purely A Pub located at 161 North Main Avenue. The restaurant is tentatively scheduled to open in October and will be seeking to obtain a liquor license in 2027. The permit was unanimously approved.

The first reading of an off-premises malt beverage and wine license was held for the convenience store located next to Fireside Inn. A second reading is expected in September.

Fire Chief Stephen Duke reported that a recent explosion that took place in the building that also houses San Marcos Restaurant was apparently caused by a cylinder containing argon gas. That section of the building was unoccupied at the time and there were no injuries.

LOOKING ahead, the town council approved:

• Closing of streets for the Old Town Chipley Fair set for Sept. 19;

• Closing of streets for Light Up Pine Mountain on Nov. 13; and

• Set 2 pm Saturday, Dec. 5 for the town’s annual Christmas Parade.