It was a full council chambers Monday, June 16, as interim police chief Jason Blinks took his oath of office.
Several members of the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Police Department were in attendance, as were many members of Blinks family for the occasion.
Before the oath of office, outgoing Mount Vernon-Lisbon Police Department chief Doug Shannon gave remarks at the podium.
“I want to give my deepest thanks to the community of Mount Vernon and Lisbon,” Shannon said. “Serving as police chief for these two towns has been one of the greatest things in my life.”
Shannon noted that there were times the deci- sions were more difficult or rocky, but the commu- nity support has made this a safe and vibrant place to raise his family.
Shannon thanked city staff for their support and willingness to engage in dialogues on a number of issues.
Shannon recounted when he started in 1993, one of the first programs he ran for 17 years was the
Drug Abuse Resistance Education programs at area schools. He used that to help build relationships that would be important in the years to come.
Shannon also thanked the officers of the department.
“It’s been the honor of a lifetime to serve along- side you,” Shannon said. “It’s why even as I’m retir- ing, I’m not sad, because I know this department is in very capable hands.”
Shannon said that the communities of Mount Vernon and Lisbon will forever be in his heart.
Shannon closed with “thank you for allowing me to be part of something so meaningful.”
Even without mayor Tom Wieseler’s encouragement, a standing ovation was given for Shannon. Wieseler than administered the oath of office to interim police chief Jason Blinks, who takes over the role of chief effective June 16. Blinks will serve as interim chief until January.