City of Lincoln acknowledges
retiring Police Chief Paul Adams, swears in the new Chief Matt
Vlahovich and Ward 2 Alderman Tony Zurkammer
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[November 03, 2021]
At the Monday, November 1st meeting of the Lincoln City Council,
retiring Lincoln Police Chief Paul Adams was officially recognized
for his 24 years of service to the city. Adams official last day of
service was Sunday, October 31, 2021.
Mayor Tracy Welch did a presentation of the plaque the city has
gifted to Adams in recognition of his service. Before reading the
plaque aloud, he spoke about Adams saying that as a new mayor, Adams
had been a great supporter and Welch felt he could not have made the
transition as easily had it not been for Adams. He mentioned that
Adams has managed a good department with the Lincoln police and has
also been a huge asset as the city worked to improve its information
technology across all departments.
Welch then read the plaque.
“With our greatest appreciation, we hereby present Paul T. Adams
with this award for your unwavering support and guidance which
helped in leading the Lincoln Police Department and the city of
Lincoln to success.
“You are being honored with much appreciation and gratitude for 24
years of service from August 31, 1997 to October 31, 2021; as
Patrolman, Corporal, Sergeant, Detective for 10 years; and Deputy
Chief and Chief of Police for six years, from 2015 to 2021.
“You were instrumental in securing, remolding and moving the
department into the new police station, providing Information
Technology and Networking service for all city of Lincoln
departments, forming the Lincoln Police Emergency Response Team,
designing a new city logo and police department patch in 2020,
establishing the Lexipol Policy service, securing several grants for
the Lincoln Police Department, and implementing new community
programs, in turn, obtaining a higher quality of life for the
citizens of the city of Lincoln.
“Presented by Mayor Tracy Welch and city council members.”
Afterward, Adams was asked if he would like to say anything. Adams
said first of all, he could not have done all that he has done
without Deputy Chief Matt Vlahovich who helped him at every turn. He
said that Vlahovich had the ability to “keep me slow,” he laughed
and added, “sometimes I want to go too fast.”
Adams expressed appreciation for the support of his wife Carrie and
also all the members of his department saying they were a good
group.
He ended saying, “It has been a wonderful experience. It is a
pleasure to do what I have done for the city and I couldn’t thank
you more for giving me the opportunity to do that. Thank you.”
When Adams was finished, he made his way around the room shaking
hands with all the aldermen.
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Deputy Chief Matt Vlahovich was then called to the front of the
room. City Attorney John Hoblit replaced Welch and did the duty of
swearing Vlahovich into his new position with the city as chief of
police.
In addition to retiring a chief and appointing a chief, the city
also accepted a new alderman on Monday night.
Ward 2 Alderman Ron Fleshman had announced his resignation the same
night in early October as Chief Adams announced his retirement.
Fleshman noted that he and wife Cindy would be moving out of Ward 2,
therefore it was necessary for him to tender his resignation.
Welch said that he would skip to the last item on the agenda for
Monday night, the advice and consent to appoint Tony Zurkammer as
the new Ward 2 alderman effective immediately.
Welch’s choice was approved unanimously by the council, and
Zurkammer was sworn in.
Zurkammer then took his seat with the council. He said that because
he was new to the office, and had not participated in any of the
committee of the whole discussions for the Monday night action
items, he would abstain from all votes.
[Nila Smith] |