For almost 20 years Glenn Hester has served Jacksonville as the bailiff for the city’s Municipal Court. He did the work voluntarily, dedicating his time and energy helping keep Jacksonville’s court system in order. Now that he is stepping down, the City Council of Jacksonville has dedicated today as Glenn Hester Day.

“He was there at every court session, except for the few that he was ill,” said Jacksonville’s Judge Joseph Maloney. “His attendance probably equaled mine. He was there, from beginning to end, every single court session.”

Maloney pointed out where he and Hester sat during court.

“I was seated up here and Glenn was to my right,” said Maloney. “It was very appropriate because he was my right hand. He has given me some insights, some of his advice and some mentoring during the years I have been up there. When he told me he was going to step down, there was a loss.

“He would sit up here and control the docket as far as making sure the files were handled properly, who has entered their plea, how did the pleas work out and basically kept me straight. If I had to decide on a ruling, it was not unusual, I would turn to Glenn and say, ‘Well, what do you think?’ Now, I have to make the decisions, I am the one who gets yelled at, but I did rely on him. He provided me with much needed maturity and mentoring while I was up there.

“He has given a great deal of his life to be up here to help our courts for nothing except the satisfaction of doing his job for his community.”

In addition to having his own day, Hester was awarded a plaque and received a standing ovation by the city council.

Before ending the meeting, the council was called into executive session. When the council returned, a motion to authorize the payment of $5,445 in settlement of the pending right-of-way condemnation litigation involving property on Greenleaf Drive SW.

In other action, the council:

• Held a public hearing regarding the vacation of the alley on the north side of Morningside Drive NE then approved the vacation.

• Accepted the Public Dedications of Ladiga Place Subdivision and its first addition.

• Approved the Mutual Aid Agreement between the City of Jacksonville Police Department and the Jacksonville State University Police Department with regard to emergency situations.

• Reappointed Jimmy Howard to the Planning Commission Board.