Pubdate: Wed, 03 Sep 2003 Source: Macon Telegraph (GA) Copyright: 2003 The Macon Telegraph Publishing Company Contact: http://www.macontelegraph.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/667 Author: Becky Purser PERRY MAY ADOPT DRUG POLICY PERRY - The City Council might adopt a random drug-testing policy for its city employees. Tuesday, the council directed city attorney David Walker to look into the possibility after Councilman Joe Kusar raised the issue. "I can't imagine a job in the city where they should not be drug tested," Kusar said. City Manager Lee Gilmour said only employees of the gas department are tested randomly for drugs. He said the testing is required by a federal mandate. The city's drug policy also requires testing of city employees if they are involved in an accident or for reasonable cause, Gilmour said. Most Middle Georgia law enforcement agencies have drug-testing policies and conduct random drug tests, including the Houston County Sheriff's Office, where two deputies were fired recently for drug use. The Perry Police Department is the exception, with drug testing required only for pre-employment, in the event of accidents with injuries and for probable cause. Police Chief George Potter previously has said he favors random drug testing for all employees - whether in the public or private sector. In other business Tuesday, the council: . Directed the Uptown Perry Partnership to proceed with its plans to use the Gen. Courtney Hodges National Guard Armory as a regional arts center. Other uses that had been proposed include a youth center, a meeting and training center for Civil Air Patrol, a family life enrichment center for tutorials and summer camps for kids, and an outreach center for church-sponsored activities. . Approved the acquisition of rights of way for the $4.48 million Ball Street road project. The project is $347,033 over the amount budgeted in the special purpose local option sales tax referendum approved countywide for road improvements. Gilmour said the city will apply for state highway monies to make up the difference. Rights of way acquisition was estimated at about $260,000. Appointed city employee carol fudge to serve as registrar so that city residents may register to vote at city hall in upcoming city and other elections. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart