VIENNA — For months council members and law enforcement authorities have been approached by citizens concerning the nuisance of abandoned vehicles around the city.

Vienna Police Chief Jamey Reed reported Monday night to the council that he has been working to rectify the situation before it becomes worse. Reed told council members that a total of 15 notices were issued in September to residents concerning specific problems.

“Thus far, residents receiving the notices have complied within a timely manner and no citations have had to be issued,” said Reed.

The report went on to say that Captain George Royal has taken charge of the compliance duties and will continue to work to keep the community clean. Royal has put together a running file system to track problem areas, Reed said.

Reed also submitted the Safe Schools/Healthy Students quarterly report, which was based on statistics taken from daily logs completed by each school resource officer. The report said there were 28 documented incidents of unlawful/unruly behavior at the Dooly County Middle School with one involving a weapon being brought onto school grounds. There were 21 reported incidents at Dooly County High, one involving drug activity and five in which arrests were made on various charges.

Police have also stepped up speed enforcement throughout the city which resulted in 48 citations being issued, Reed said, adding there were four vehicular accidents with no injuries in September.

The Vienna Police Department is also making themselves ready for the Big Pig Jig that is just a few weeks away, Reed reported. They are currently working with the Dooly County Chamber of Commerce to implement a new plan for structuring the security that will use fewer people than in the past.

“I have handpicked individual officers from outside our agency that I have confidence in to create a friendlier environment than in recent years,” said Reed.

Also discussed at the meeting:

• Citizen Berniece Lundy expressed her concern about a number of issues ranging from the abandoned cars to riding 4-wheelers on the city streets. Her greatest concern was the rise in taxes and service bills. The council recommended that Lundy attending a meeting on Monday, October 20, 2008 beginning at the Dooly County Courthouse. Bill Powell of Georgia Rural Water will be on hand to field questions from the public about how the rates were determined and other questions.

• Council members received and invitation to the Dooly State Prison Fast Track Unit Ribbon Cutting to be held on Wednesday, October 29 at 1:30 p.m.

• A representative from the office of U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson will be at the Dooly County Courthouse to hear citizen concerns on Friday, October 17 from 9-11 a.m.

• The next meeting of the Vienna City Council is scheduled for Monday, October 27 at 7 p.m. at the Vienna City Hall.