FAIRHOPE, Ala. — Terry Sanders was appointed temporary Fairhope Police Chief at a special called City Council meeting Thursday evening.

“Mike Comalander was appointed under unusual circumstances,” said City Councilman Dan Stankoski. “We are grateful for his service.”

Stankoski said Comalander, who was appointed in December 2006 to finish the unexpired term of former chief Chris Browning, would remain at the department with the rank of captain.

The motion to appoint Sanders to a three-month term drew strong comments from City Councilman Mike Ford.

“We have put the chief through tremendous scrutiny. We have two people already on the payroll that can do this job. What does this say to our police force?”

Ford then stated the council should go into executive session and give Sanders the same degree of scrutiny.

“Debbie, you are running the show and will reap the benefits of this someday,” he said.

Although the motion to appoint Sanders was on the floor, city attorney Marion “Tut” Wynne told Council President Debbie Quinn she could consider Ford’s request for an executive session as a secondary one (if formally made).

Ford made the motion, City Councilman Rick Kingrea seconded it, but the motioned failed, 3-2.

The council then voted on the appointment of Sanders, which passed 4-1.

Sanders will receive 1/12 per month the designated yearly salary for the chief of police as well as employee benefits and a police vehicle. The council has the discretion to dismiss Sanders at the end of the three months or retain him until a permanent police chief is found.

“I know this is an interim appointment, but I will approach it as though it was permanent,” Sanders said.

He said he began his career as a patrolman at Valley, Ala. where he stayed for 19 years, serving as chief for five years and personnel director the last year. He then served as the police chief for Bay Minette for five years. Since then, Stankoski said he has served as a criminal investigator for Escambia County, Ala. and taught at Remington College in Mobile.

He holds a bachelor of science in criminal justice degree from Columbia Southern University, attended the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va. and received his certification in public administration from Auburn University. Stankoski said Sanders was also rated “extremely qualified by the Alabama Peace Officer’s Standards and Training Commission.

“I don’t hide from the telephone or in my office; I love what I do,” Sanders said. “I have never lost my compassion for people. In law enforcement, we often see people at their weakest moment. If you lose your compassion, you will misuse your authority,” he said.

Quinn said the city’s municipal insurance corporation highly recommended Sanders as did the mayor of Calera.

“I think he will be great if you will give him a chance,” she said.

Stankoski introduced a resolution giving himself the authority to appoint a search committee to secure a permanent police chief. He said this would include reviewing the existing job description, preparing a final job description, publishing and posting the vacancy and reviewing applicants.

He said the council would review the last three to five finalists.

A couple of names were mentioned by council members as potential members of the search committee.

Stankoski said the committee would be presented at the Jan. 26 council meeting if it was complete by that date.

Kingrea asked if any member of the city police force could apply.

“If they meet the criteria of he job description determined by the committe, they will certainly be considered,” Stankoski replied.

Kingrea presented the resolution on the appointment of a municipal judge.

He said he decided after much discussion, including input from the Baldwin County District Attorney and Sam Crosby, past president of the Alabama Bar Association, to recommend the reappointment of Haymes Snedeker.

“Both of them highly endorsed our municipal judge. Sam indicated to me that Haymes ran the best court he had ever been in.”

The council voted in favor of reappointing Snedeker to a two-year term ending Jan. 1, 2011. Stankoski abstained because of his two sons, who are practicing attorneys in Baldwin County.

Snedeker thanked the council and said his goal would continue to set the best example for a municipal court in the county.

“I have a great working relationship with Tut Wynne and the court clerk (Sandra Kelly) and magistrate (Betty Stevens). We have heard 8,000 cases and cleared 8,000 cases.”

He added that this had been accomplished holding only two court dates per month.

Snedeker said he was proud of the progress the court had made in keeping indigent residents out of jail because of their inability to pay.

“If their fines exceed $500, we refer them to Judicial Corrections Services,” he said. That company helps them work out a payment plan.

“Although this is a part-time job, it is a huge deal to me,” he said.