By Amanda Raymond

amanda.raymond@salisburypost.com

The Salisbury City Council honored retired police chief Rory Collins with a resolution on Tuesday, but not every council member thought the resolution was necessary.

Collins announced the news of his resignation in November and the resignation became effective on Dec. 31. In an email sent to his staff, Collins said he made the decision to retire on his own and was ready to start a less stressful chapter of his life.

The resolution, read aloud by Mayor Karen Alexander, commended Collins on his time and effort during his 20 years of service with the Salisbury Police Department.

“Police Chief Rory Collins has honorably and faithfully served the citizens of Salisbury since joining the police department in 1995,” Alexander read.

Collins was also honored for his work as executive director of city’s Project Safe Neighborhood program and the creation of the Police Interdiction Team and the youth Police Athletic League.

There was also a reception for Collins before the meeting.

Collins was named the chief of police in 2010, and has since endured criticism as the city struggled with gun violence, unsolved murders and other violent crimes.

Councilman Kenny Hardin did not vote for adopting the resolution for Collins.

“It’s not to take anything away from the celebratory moment. I think we really need to understand and value everyone. I think in honoring some, we dishonor others, too,” he said.

Hardin said that although he appreciates what Collins has done for the city, he did not agree with honoring Collins just because of his long tenure.

“I think that for the 11 or 12 families of the unsolved murders, you’re honoring him and they’re doing nothing on that. So that’s a dishonor,” Hardin said after the meeting. “It’s a dishonor to people that are suffering through crime and gunshots in the community.”

In other business, the council approved:

• a request for a temporary right-of-way use permit for the closure of four parking spaces and the sidewalk adjacent to 113 E. Fisher St. from Jan. 5 until March 31.
• an ordinance to restrict parking from all day to 30 minutes along the south side of the 700 block of Hedrick Street.
• a $7,200,000 Capital Project Ordinance for the Advanced Metering Infrastructure Implementation Project, an amount that was already set aside from the capital reserve fund.
• a resolution of Declaration of Official Intent to reimburse expenditures from the acquisition of property and construction of two fire stations.

Contact reporter Amanda Raymond at 704-797-4222.