The turmoil in Alexandria seems never-ending after yet another regular monthly meeting of the Alexandria Board of Mayor and Aldermen was not held due to lack or a quorum. Only three of the town’s six aldermen showed up for the meeting, which included some important and time sensitive issues. This was the third regular meeting out of the past four to have a lack of a quorum.

The main issue facing the board, the replacement of the town’s police chief. Former chief K.D. Smith was terminated on March 20 during a special-called disciplinary hearing of the counsel. Chief Smith had been placed on suspension without pay a week prior by Mayor Beth Tripp, after she handed him a written reprimand.

At the town’s regular monthly meeting on March 25, the hiring of Smith’s replacement was supposed to be addressed, but only three of the six aldermen showed up at city hall. Those present for the meeting were Mayor Tripp and Aldermen Jonathon Tripp, Sherry Tubbs, and Jeff Ford. Those absent were Aldermen Luke Prichard, Bobby Simpson, and Tiffany Robinson.

Currently, Alexandria Police Officer Vincent Turocy, has been appointed by Mayor Beth Tripp, as interim chief. Turocy was expected to fill the position after a vote by the council, but with the lack of a quorum, Turocy continues as interim chief.

According to Mayor Tripp, no city business could be voted on with just three aldermen present, though she allowed department heads and the city auditor present at the meeting to make their reports.

According to the Alexandria city charter, “A majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum, and the presence of the mayor and three (3) aldermen, and in the absence of the mayor, the presence of the vice-mayor and three (3) aldermen shall constitute a majority. The mayor shall preside at meetings of the Board and is authorized to vote in the event of a tie vote of the Board. She shall have veto power over any legislative actions of the Board.”

Mayor Tripp also announced at the meeting that City Attorney Matt Boss, who was appointed to the position only four months ago, has resigned.

Interim Chief Turocy was also given an opportunity to speak to the board and those in attendance, making his case as to why he should be appointed the new chief.

“I am here today to ask if I could serve you and the citizens of Alexandria as your next police chief. It would be my goal to provide our community with professional and a reliable police force. I will be involved in our community and its events and I plan to create some of my own,” Turocy said.

“I started my career in public service in 1993 when I joined the United States Army Military Intelligence Corps after graduating from high school,” said Officer Turocy.

“I served three years before leaving to pursue my career in law enforcement. I am a graduate of Bethel University with an associate and a bachelor’s degree in emergency services management with a 4.0 GPA.”

“In 1999 I joined the Tennessee Highway Patrol as a communications dispatcher and then I became a reserve police officer in 2000 with the Burns Police Department and I was subsequently hired by the Tennessee Highway Patrol in the spring of 2000 while still being a THP dispatcher.”

“In 2014, I was promoted to sergeant over the state capital protection unit where I supervised 22 state troopers and oversaw the protection of the state capital complex in Nashville. I returned to the road in 2015 as the Robertson County midnight sergeant and in 2017 I was made the full-time supervisor in that area. I later transferred to Sumner County as road sergeant, where I supervised Sumner and Wilson County troopers.”

“In 2022, I was promoted to lieutenant over the Nashville District in special events for the THP in Davidson County. I was honored to receive THP Trooper of the Year in 2001 and 2003. Additionally, I received District THP Trooper of the Year in 2001, 2012, and 2013. Throughout my career I have also received also numerous commendations,” said Officer Turocy.

The board also heard from Nathaniel (Nate) Lombard of Sparta, a former White County officer, asking that he be hired by the board as a full-time officer. Nate is married to Veronica Dodge, who worked as an Alexandria officer before leaving for the Smithville Police Department.

Other members of the Alexandria Police Department are part timers Jon Jenkins and Stephen Wassman.

A special meeting was held on Monday, March 31, to address the time-sensitive matters before the board, including a mutual aid agreement for the fire department with DeKalb County Fire. The agreement is valid from April 1, 2025, through December 31, 2029, and states that if there is a structure fire within the Alexandria city limits, DeKalb Fire units would automatically be dispatched to the scene to render aid to Alexandria Fire. Alexandria Fire will also respond to calls, including wrecks, medical alarms, brush fires, within a five road-mile radius outside the Alexandria city limits to aid DeKalb Fire units. Both Alexandria and the County Commission voted to extend the agreement on Monday night.

The board also voted to hire Evan White as the town’s civil engineer as previously discussed and advertised.

Ria Baker also spoke at the meeting, giving information concerning the town’s historic Seay Church and the Tennessee Heritage Act, telling the board that the church and cemetery are under the protection of the State of Tennessee.

“They are on the National Register of Historic Places,” Baker told the board. “You can not do anything to them unless you go before the Tennessee board in Nashville.”

Baker said the city cannot sell or tear down the property, but she was uncertain about the process for renting it. She said that the property had been rented before, but the property ownership falls under the town.

According to Baker, previous rentals of the property included $250 per month, plus $250 of labor towards the upkeep of the property. “You can put paint on the walls, do repairs, mowing the cemetery … something that is permanent.

Pastor James Duke and his congregation have made a proposal to rent the church. The church is in need of repair, and they are willing to restore the church and begin holding services there once again as part of the rental agreement.