SEABOARD — It was a day to celebrate for Mayor Melvin Broadnax, Police Commissioner Bobie Moss and Police Chief George Reed. It was a day to celebrate in all of Seaboard, as the town signed the papers to close United States Department of Agriculture loans and grants to purchase two new police cars for the town.

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The two Chevrolet Impalas will replace a 1996 Chevrolet Caprice and a 2001 Ford Crown Victoria. The vehicles had high mileage and excessive maintenance costs according to Susan Christiansen, area specialist with the USDA. The new vehicles are equipped with the police package including equipment.

Christiansen works with Community Programs to provide low interest loans and grants for communities. “We love working in the communities that demonstrate needs in everyday life. They need this to do their jobs,” said Christiansen. “We’re happy to be able to help them.” Recently, the USDA provided police cars in Woodland, Jackson, Gaston and now in Seaboard.

Mayor Broadnax could hardly contain his smiles and enthusiasm at the reception to celebrate the closing. He pointed at Chief Reed and jokingly said, “The paperwork says that the mayor gets to ride around for a month before we turn them over.” Then turning, he said as he grinned, “This is a real upgrade for the police department. They’re really going to be seen; going to be visible.” He put special emphasis on the visibility aspect then he turned to speak with the clerk.

“We’re very excited about being able to do this,” said Moss. “It’s been a long time coming. It’s going to save a lot on maintenance and repair and on gas. It’s going to help with the morale of the department.”