Perry Assistant Police Chief Jim Archer will assume the department’s leadership position Nov. 2 after Perry Mayor Dirk Cavanaugh appointed him to the chief’s job Monday, a move approved by the Perry City Council.
Archer joined the Perry Police Department in 2000 and became assistant chief in 2022. He succeeds Chief Eric Vaughn, a 27-year veteran of the Perry force, who retires after 10 years in the top job.
At Monday night regular meeting, the Perry City Council also approved a salary for the police chief of $110,000.
In other business, the council heard from concerned citizens Marcia Fink and Vivian Aldridge, who requested that a traffic-control device be installed on McKinley Street east of 18th Street, where students and others cross the street at the athletic fields.
Fink and Aldridge also presented the council with an Oct. 16 letter from Perry Community School District 7-12 Activities Director Tina Lutterman, who also urged the council to act for the sake of “the safety and well-being of our students and community” by installing “a crosswalk and/or warning lights at this critical location.”
In her letter, Lutterman said she has “observed a significant amount of foot traffic crossing in this area. Softball, baseball and soccer athletes use this path daily during their seasons to attend practices and games. In addition, our middle school Physical Education department uses the open space for classes throughout the school day. The lack of a designated crosswalk poses a safety risk, as pedestrians are left to navigate through traffic without a clear, safe means of crossing. A well-marked crosswalk and/or warning lights would enhance safety in this location.”
Dallas County Assistant Attorney Ron Forsell also told the city council about the need for a new criminal courthouse that will adequately address the fast-growing case load in our fast-growing county. The new courthouse would cost about $57 million.
Forsell several public information meetings on the issue will be held in Adel prior to the Nov. 5 general election. The meetings will be:
- Tuesday, Oct. 22 at 6:30 p.m. at 902 Court St.
- Thursday, Oct. 24 at 6:30 p.m. at 801 Court St.
- Monday, Oct. 28 at 6:30 p.m. at 902 Court St.
- Tuesday, Oct. 29 at 6:30 p.m. at 902 Court St.
The ballot language of the bond measure reads, “Shall the Dallas County State of Iowa, issue its General Obligation Bonds or Capital Loan Notes in an amount of not exceeding the amount of $56,900,000 for the purpose of designing constructing, erecting, improving equipping and furnishing a new criminal court building, including related site or grounds improvements?”
