By Heather Michon
Correspondent
After three years as director of public safety, Lake Monticello Police Chief David Wells made a final appearance before the Lake’s Board of Directors on Thursday night (July 24) – not with PowerPoint slides and statistics, but just to say goodbye.
“I had a little speech prepared, but I’m going to wing it, because that’s just my style,” Wells joked as he stepped up to the podium. “I wanted to come and say thank you to everybody. It’s been a wonderful experience.”
Wells will be returning to the Fluvanna County Sheriff’s Office in August and resuming his role as chief deputy under Sheriff Eric Hess.
“It’s been a pleasure,” he said. “If you need me, I’m not going that far.”
LMOA Communications Director Markieke Henry said that Wells had been a great senior staff leader during his time with the organization. “I appreciate the community policing he’s brought to Lake Monticello. It’s a great fit. It’s exactly what we needed.”
“I appreciate that he’s always put safety first, even when it made him the most unpopular person in the room,” she added.
Officer Jim Mooney will be taking over as interim director of public safety and police chief.
“I’m a three-year police officer at the Lake, but more importantly, I’m a 28-year resident of Lake Monticello,” said Mooney. “I came to work here because they hired that man,” he said, pointing at Wells. “It’s been an honor to work with him, and I don’t think you’ll see much change here. He’s showing us the way in order to continue to do that.”
The July meeting was one of the shortest Board of Directors on record. Directors Gary Sellick and Jennifer Richardson were traveling, as was General Manager Tom Schuader. No significant votes or actions were taken during the session.
