By Bonnie Culverhouse

Personnel issues were handled by Minden City Council Monday night in a positive way.

Council members voted unanimously to add a new employee position and job description to Minden Fire Department in the form of Battalion Chief and granted a promotion to fill it.

Minden Fire Capt. Tony Hall was promoted to fill the first-ever position. Hall completed the Fire and Police Civil Service Board examination with a score of 85.

The position, which falls one slot under Assistant Chief, will be responsible for supervisory positions.

In addition, Minden Police Department Sgt. Jason Smith was promoted to lieutenant after completing the Fire and Police Civil Service Board with 86 percent.

In other business, the council voted unanimously for the following items:

• Amend Claudine Thomas’ term on Minden Main Street Program/Downtown Development Commission to expire Sept. 8, 2024; and,

• Reappoint Ricky Thomas and Charlotte Jones to Minden Downtown/Residential Historic Commission to expire Dec. 31, 2027.

Condemned properties were prominent on the agenda. All of these were approved unanimously to be condemned and demolished by a certain date:

• 518 Constable Street – Fountain of Praise United Worship Center;

• 1300 Apple Street – Morris Freeman Jr.;

• 1301 Apple Street – Charlotte Scott (to be demolished by family members);

• 1019 Lee Street – Bernice Clark;

• 1003 West Street – Prescott Thomas; and

• 305 West Todd Street – Stanley Anderson.