By Rebecca Rider

rebecca.rider@salisburypost.com

LANDIS — Landis Police Chief Bob Wood handed in his badge Monday night, retiring from the department after more than 30 years of service.

Wood worked his last day Friday, and at Monday night’s Board of Aldermen meeting, Kenny Isenhour was sworn in as the new chief.

Isenhour is a former educator and principal of Millbridge Elementary School who later became a reserve officer for the Landis Police Department. Isenhour was awarded the Order of the Longleaf Pine in December 2009 after being nominated for his service to the children of the community.

Aldermen and town employees welcomed Isenhour on Monday and bid a fond farewell to Wood.

“He’s been a good chief and a really good friend,” Town Manager Reed Linn said.

Wood first came on board with the Landis Police Department in 1982, but he also served with the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office and the Kannapolis Police Department.

“You have been a tremendous asset to this town for many years,” Mayor Mike Mahaley told Wood.

Members of the Landis Police Department presented Wood a special display featuring old badges and other keepsakes.

“We’re not only losing a chief but we’re getting to see a very great friend a lot less frequently,” Detective Roger Hosey said.

Chaplain Michael Taylor with the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office presented Wood with a plaque and award from the Chapel of the Four Chaplains.

Wood joked that he never felt his age, 65, until today, and he thanked the town for the support it had given him over the years.

“It’s been good; I’ve enjoyed it. But it’s time for me to step aside now,” he said.

In other business, the board:

• Set a public hearing for a conditional-use permit for an essential services communications tower on Pinnacle Way Drive. The hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. April 3.
• Unanimously approved a policy to forbid overnight parking on town property with the exception of the park office, City Hall, the town’s two fire stations, the Police Department and the EMS station.
• Discussed recent meetings with staff of the N.C. Department of Transportation. Mahaley said at the end of the meeting, the department knew that the board and members of the town were not happy with current construction and reworking of roads and railroad crossings. Mahaley said the department “promised to look into it” and there’s a chance the town will “get some relief on some of it.” Mahaley said he asked that, if nothing else, the department reopen Central Avenue.

Contact reporter Rebecca Rider at 704-797-4264.