Police chief to bring back bike patrols
Madison City Manager John Klimm introduced the city’s new Director of Public Works to the city council during the work session held on Nov. 1.
Shawn Wood comes to Madison from Jones County, where, according to Klimm, he led a staff of 75 in the construction, operations, and maintenance of roads, bridges, rights-of-way, solid waste, fleet, and facilities while managing an $8.5 million budget.
Prior to his tenure in Jones County, Wood spent a decade as the public works director for the City of Dublin, where he planned, directed, organized, and coordinated work on highways and streets, water, wastewater, gas, stormwater management, GIS, cemeteries, and ground maintenance, Klimm said. Wood is a certified public works manager, having received his national certification.
Shawn and his family have recently moved to the Lake Oconee area.
“It’s been a lengthy process, but I am delighted to have Shawn on board,” Klimm said.
Citing a recent problem with Madison’s utility infrastructure, Klimm said he had asked Wood to focus on the condition of Madison’s existing utilities.
“There’s too much unknown about the condition of those utilities,” Klimm said, adding that more attention needs to be paid to “effective long-range budgeting in routine maintenance and keeping our infrastructure up to snuff. Shawn has a big job before him, but I’m delighted to introduce him to you. He starts today.”
Wood said he was excited about his new position.
“I’m delighted to be here, and I’ve been anticipating this day for a good while now,” Wood said. “It was a lengthy process – as John said, but it was well worth it. I look forward to working with [each city council member].”
Another relatively new department head in Madison had some interesting announcements involving the Madison Police Department.
Chief John McIlvaine, who was sworn in a little more than two months ago, said his department is looking to improve the police presence in downtown Madison.
Citing the recent community survey, which revealed 72 percent of Madison residents view the police presence in Madison as either good or very good, McIlvaine said he was not satisfied with that number.
“We want to improve on it,” McIlvaine said. “I’m in the process of rolling out a downtown community officer. Years ago, we had a bicycle patrol downtown and will bring that back. I’m excited about it, and I’ve spoken to many business owners downtown, and they’re excited about it as well.”
McIlvaine said officers assigned to the bicycle patrol will have a patrol car available should one be necessary for incidents that occur away from the downtown area.
McIlvaine said he was also working on ways to improve response time and engagement with Madison residents. The department is continuing its recruiting effort and hopes to have a full staff by early next year.