Note: The agenda and transcript indicate the meeting occurred on March 4, 2025. However, the user directive specifies a date of February 12, 2026. This discrepancy is noted; the summary below reflects the content of the March 4, 2025 meeting as provided.
The regular business meeting was called to order with presentations, public comments, consent agenda approval, several resolutions, board appointments, a public hearing on impact fees, and an executive session. The meeting adjourned at 8:18 PM.
I'm gonna be quick. I just want to thank everyone, especially our board for supporting Central Services and certainly my user departments. Um, and of course, we do it all for the citizens. So thank you all. Let's give them a round of applause. Also, they had a great celebration. And I just want to say thank you guys for all that you do. Oh, but they are in Central Services. Where is Major Sherman Dwayne Lemon, son of the late Willie D and Mary C. Lemon was born in McDonough, Henry County, Georgia. A 1973 graduate of Henry County Senior High School. Sherman began working in the family business, W. D. Lemon and Sons funeral home. And attended Gupton Jones College of Moretary Science in 1976. He graduated with an associates of science degree and became a licensed funeral director and embalmer. And whereas, while a student at Henry County Senior High School, Sherman attended Gordon Junior College at night to become an emergency medical tech. He graduated in 1972 as a certified EMT and began working at Henry County Emergency Medical Services until 1978. On July 10th, 1978, Sherman was hired by the Clayton County Police Department. He completed the police academy in 1979 and became a patrolman. And whereas Sherman's dedication to public service resulted in his advancement within the Clayton County Police Department in June 1982, he was promoted to detective. In February 1984, he was promoted as the first black sergeant. He continued to lead and was promoted in February 1994, becoming the first black lieutenant in the uniform patrol division, serving the community of the North Clayton Police Precinct with professionalism, leadership, and dedication. He was again promoted to the rank of captain as the first black precinct commander in November 2002. And whereas the pinnacle of Sherman's career occurred on June 7, 2005, becoming the first black promoted to major with the Clayton County Police Department until his retirement on May 17th, 2008. He's married to Shannon Lemon, and they have two sons. Shannon and Brandon. He and his wife Shannon enjoy the best part of retirement as loving, proud, and happy grandparents. Now, therefore, I, Gail B. Hambrick, Commissioner, on behalf of the Clayton County Board of Commissioners, do hereby pay tribute to retired Major Sherman Dwayne Lemon, Clayton County's first black officer, promoted to lieutenant, captain, and major with the Clayton County Police Department. We are deeply grateful for his historic career, step out service and lasting contributions to law enforcement and the citizens of Clayton County. In witness thereof, I have here unto set my hand in cause to seal of Clayton County, Georgia, to be a fixed this fourth day of March in the year 2025. Thank you all so much and all for something that's so well deserved. Sherman started years ago. I think you all heard the dates and all, but it was really when uh Clayton County was basically changing, and it was the North Clayton area that actually started that change. And parents, we were very active, and we started what we call the after school enrichment program. Couldn't get anybody to help us out or whatever. Who volunteered? Sherman, right. And that that's exactly what we called him. We refer to him as uh officer or whatever, but he was just so on it for us and helped us so much because we really couldn't get the help. We were um told that okay, you all can do this, you can try it or whatever, but nobody really believed in the program. So with the help of uh uh Major Lemon and all, and I believe um Porter, right? Yes, before he became uh police chief for the school system. We didn't have offices for the school system at the time. So this was our school officer and all and served us very well, so we are really appreciated. I know we've said that over and over for years, but you just don't know how much. So thank you so very much for doing what you did and did not get paid for it at the time. So we really appreciate you, so thank you so much. All right, next we will have uh presentation for the State Department of Aging Services Community Meetings, Senior Services.