LINDEN &045; During the public safety report at the city council meeting yesterday, Councilman Neal Jackson said it would benefit the city to begin looking for a replacement for court clerk Marsha Sanders, who has decided to leave the position.

Jackson said the city could save itself from a slow transition period with a new court clerk if another was hired to train under Sanders during her remaining time. He said he would like to look for a replacement that would stay for the long term.

City Administrator Cheryl Hall said it takes going to training twice a year for two years to become trained for the position, and then the person must go to training once a year to remain updated. She said, however, a person can receive the training while holding the position.

The board agreed it should go ahead and post the job and its requirements to receive applicants.

Also during the public safety report, Police Chief Jeff Laduron said the department would need to get new vehicles in the next few months. He said he was interested in looking at a Chevrolet Impala to add to the fleet, but he said he would also like to purchase the car locally, if possible.

The council told Laduron to check on the prices for both purchasing and leasing and present his findings to the group.

In other business:

-Councilman William Curry told the council he attended the Black Belt Mayors’ Conference, which talked about bringing a new communication tool to Marengo County that would allow government entities to quickly reach one another and the public. He said the system would be useful for law enforcement and allow the city to quickly give the public notice in case of an emergency such as bad weather.

Curry said those attending the conference were informed a resending of funds by President George Bush from the Department of Transportation could effect road projects. He said the department would likely scale back projects not yet underway, possibly delaying the U.S. Highway 43 bypass scheduled for Linden.

-The council approved an invoice for $7,850 from Goodwyn, Mills and Caywood for a drainage survey by the company, which is part of the city’s ongoing drainage work.

-Following the term expiration on the Park and Recreations Board for Frances Jackson and Sandi Henson, the council decided to reappoint both to another term on the board.

-Hall said, during the administrator’s report, that she received a notice from Mediacom that the town cable rates would increase by about $2 per month.

-The council changed the time for its next meeting from 6 p.m. to 5 p.m. on April 3.