Bement’s Officer Lansford resigns

The Bement village board accepted the resignation at the February meeting of nine-year police officer David Lansford. His last day was Feb. 18 as he will begin his new job as a Piatt County sheriff’s deputy.

Lansford, a 1986 Bement graduate, was hired back in 2013 when the village brought back its own police agency and he has been the only full-time officer since that time.

Tieman thanked David for the last nine years and wished him the best and hope it goes well and safe.

Prior to taking the job in Bement, Lansford worked for the DeWitt County Sheriff’s Department for 12 years, worked in Champaign County, and was a Bement officer for five years from 1990-1995.

He expressed his appreciation to the board and thanked them for getting everything he needed to establish a police department and the community for their support.

The board authorized Village President Pat Tieman to enter into negotiations with a possible replacement.

Matt Soria, a Decatur native who now resides in Atwood and is also a former Arthur police officer, was interviewed during a closed session at the meeting.

While Soria was not officially hired by the Bement board, a motion was approved to allow Tieman to begin negotiations for a possible hire. Official action could possibly take place at the next board meeting on March 8.

New village board members

•Logan Weatherford was sworn in as a new village board member and will finish out the term vacated by Clayton Ahlden who is relocating

•Gary Brennan attended his first meeting as he was approved at last month’s meeting and will complete Wood Dean’s term who resigned

Miscellaneous:

Board member Joyce Goode complimented the public works department employees Chad Corum and Dawson Swaim for the great job on getting the streets cleared during the recent snowstorm which dropped 8 plus inches on Piatt County.