Harlem's backing of Guard is rewarded

Harlem Department of Public Safety Officer Bobby Cash saluted his employer Monday as he presented city leaders with an award for supporting his Georgia National Guard obligations.

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"I appreciate what the city of Harlem has done for me since I've been here," said Cash, who has already served one tour in Iraq and is expected to be deployed a second time in the spring with the newly formed National Guard unit at Fort Gordon.

Cash submitted the city for the Patriot Award given by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.

The organization is an agency of the Office of the Secretary of Defense and operates programs directed toward U.S. employers, employees and communities to ensure understanding of the role of Reserve component members.

Cash surprised city officials with the award and presented the mayor, city council members, city manager and his immediate boss, Chief Jerry Baldwin, with a certificate, pin and informational DVD from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.

"Needless to say, there are employers out there that are giving military employees a hard time," Cash said. "This is definitely not one of them."

Also at Monday's monthly meeting, city council members voted to begin the process to allow credit card payments for city services, which will eventually lead to allowing credit card payments online, City Manager Jean Dove said.

"It is going to be convenient for our customers," Dove said.

She hopes that credit card payments will be accepted by the end of the year.

Dove said credit card payments will be accepted for all city services, including water bills, occupational taxes, businesses licenses, building permits and court fines.

The city council also approved to contract the Georgia Municipal Association for collection services.

Dove said the agreement will allow the association's contracted company to collect money owed to the city.

Dove said there is no way to collect owed money from residents who move out with an outstanding water bill balance not covered by the deposit.

The company contracted through the association will be allowed to find such people or others who owe the city money including city court probationers who do not check in with probation officers and pay fines.