Alvin also gets a new police chief.

Tis the season I suppose:

After a split vote, the city council namedhas announced the city’s new Police Chief. Robert E. Lee, who currently works as Assistant Police Chief in DeSoto, Texas, with a police force of 71 officers, was named to fill the vacancy left when Police Chief Mike Merkel retired in December. City Manager Terry Lucas recommended the hiring of Lee during the Council’s Executive Session at last Thursday night’s council meeting.

When Council Members returned following the Executive Session, a suggestion was made to call the roll for the vote. Council Member Jim Landriault was the first member to cast his vote by approving Lee’s hiring.

Scott Reed followed by voting yes for the recommendation. Council Member Adam Arendall voted against the recommendation. After taking several minutes to think, Council Member Brad Richards also voted against the recommendation. Terry Droege also voted against the recommendation while Greg Bullard voted for Lee to fill the position.

At that point, the vote was tied at three to three. Council Member Roger Stuksa was the last to cast his vote. He asked to be able to speak prior to casting his vote and he was granted permission to do so. “I am not qualified to understand the skills needed to work as a Police Chief, so I feel I have to respect the recommendation of our City Manager, who previously worked as a Captain at the Alvin Police Department. I vote yes,” he concluded.

With that, there were three no votes and four yes votes. Lee will be the new Police Chief of Alvin.