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THE PEOPLE’S VOICE PAGE 3
September 23, 2014 ROCK FALLS POLICE | CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP
Kuelper will retire as chief Council OKs agreement putting Nelson in interim role BY PAM EGGEMEIER
ROCK FALLS – Police Chief Mike Kuelper has told the city he will retire next year after 31 years on the force. Kuelper’s official retirement date is May 1, 2015, but unused vacation days will make Feb. 27 his last day as chief. The council approved a resolution Tuesday to make Operations Commander Tammy Nelson
acting chief of police when Kuelper retires. Nelson was a finalist for the position when Kuelper was named chief in 2008. Nelson will do double duty from Feb. 27 to May 1, Kuelper said. “She would be starting the same way I did when I took over for Chief [Beto] Perez,� he said. Kuelper, who turns 56 next week, said he had no specific reasons for retiring at this time, although
the fact that police pensions don’t change after 30 years made it a little more enticing. “It was just time,� he said. Nelson had earlier approached the city about leaving her current position with the department, Mayor Bill Wescott said. “We had a conversation with Tammy, and we think we have come to an agreement with her to keep her here,� Wescott
Proposal for center approved BY MATT MENCARINI
DIXON – The City Council unanimously voted to sell an 8.85-acre piece of land in the Lee County Industrial Park less than 24 hours after the vote was deadlocked. The city was considering two proposals – from IPP LLC and Green Thumb Industries LLC – to purchase the property with the intent of building a
medical marijuana cultivation center. The discussion started during the regular council meeting Monday night but was tabled until Tuesday, so that the council members could spend more time considering both proposals. During that time, Commissioners Dennis Considine and Colleen Brechon changed their minds, and Commissioner Jeff Kuhn made up his.
The full council supported the proposal from IPP on Tuesday night and voted to approve the sale for $320,000. Mayor Jim Burke and Commissioner Dave Blackburn supported IPP on Monday night. In order for the city to sell the land, which was appraised at $257,000, the council needed four votes in favor of one of the proposals.
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said. The council resolution provides her with conditional employment, because Nelson would later have to be appointed permanent chief by the mayor, with the council’s approval. “This isn’t a guarantee, but it’s our intention to begin the process of her becoming chief,� City Administrator Robbin Blackert said of Nelson. “She has done a great job as an officer, and we
believe she would do the same as chief.� Wescott said this solution could save the city from having to do an external search for the next chief. He also said the move would keep continuity within the department. “We didn’t want to be in a situation where we were losing our chief and head commander at the same time,� the mayor said.
Mike Kuelper Rock Falls police chief to retire after 31 years.
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