Headline Surfer / NSBNews.net photo by Sera Frederick /PONCE INLET -- The business agent for the Teamsters Local 385 said he's optimistic a new contract will be hammered out between the union and the town for the small police force.
"We're going to request negotiations sometime in June," said Robert Walker, who has been the union's business agent the better part of 15 months. "I met the new chief in April and we had a good discussion. I feel good about getting a new contract in place for the officers."
Walker, former longtime Daytona Beach homicide detective and briefly acting chief of the now-defunct Oak Hill police, was referring to Ponce Inlet's Frank Fabrizio who was hired earlier this year as that small seaside community's replacement for Wayne Lurcock, who died suddenly Sept. 26, at the age of 60. The department has 11 police officers, including the chief.
Besides Ponce Inlet, other police agencies in Volusia County represented by Teamsters 385 include police departments in New Smyrna Beach, Daytona Beach, DeLand and the Volusia County Sheriff's Office. The union also represents police in Maitland, Longwood and Winter Park.