By Crystal McGough, Associate Editor
ARGO – Mayor Betty Bradley and the Argo City Council accepted a letter from Argo Police Chief Glenn Wells Monday night, Dec. 19, announcing his intentions to retire, effective Jan. 1, 2023. The council then unanimously approved a resolution appointing Argo Police Captain Alan Busler as the new chief of the Argo Police Department, which will also take effect Jan. 1.
“The past 16 years have been very rewarding for me, and I have thoroughly enjoyed working for you,” Wells said in the letter, which was read in full by Mayor Bradley. “The support you have shown to the police department is incredible and I will be forever grateful.”
Each member of the council and the mayor approved a motion to accept the letter, though Bradley said that she did so reluctantly.
“I wish you well, Glenn,” Bradley said. “You have been a great asset to our city and we’re going to miss you. I hope you’ll come back, not as an employee, but as a friend.”
Wells, in person, expressed his gratitude to the mayor and city council, and Captain Alan Busler presented Wells with a retirement badge.
“I do appreciate that very much,” Wells said. “I love the city of Argo and everybody in it. The council has been fantastic; you have been great to us. I just appreciate everything y’all have done for us.”
The council then unanimously approved Resolution 2022-12-29A, appointing Busler as the new Argo Police chief, and Busler was sworn into office by Judge Carl Chamblee Jr.
“Captain Busler is a long-serving member of the Argo Police Department and has served in a capacity assisting Chief Wells in many of his administrative tasks necessary to effectively and efficiently run the Argo Police Department,” the resolution states. “… Having considered other candidates … and evaluated the needs of the Argo Police Department, the city council of the city of Argo finds Captain Busler as the best candidate to replace Chief Wells upon his retirement.”
In other business, the council approved Ordinance 2022-12-19, amending the city’s “Safe Streets Act” by changing the administrative fee amount from $200 to $100 and directing those fees to be deposited to the Police Department Equipment Fund.
Mayor Bradley informed the public that City Hall will be closed Dec. 23-26 in honor of Christmas, and Jan. 2, 2023, in recognition of New Years. The next meeting of the Argo City Council will be Monday, Jan. 9, 2023, immediately following a 5 p.m. work session.
Crystal McGough can be contacted at mcgoughcrystal@gmail.com