by Al Summers
News Editor
alsummers@timescourier.com
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Five new Chevrolet Tahoes with the new paint scheme of the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Department are ready for action after being debuted recently. The vehicles cost less than $1,200 each of what a regular patrol car would have cost the department. Contributed photo
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Gilmer County Sheriff Stacy Nicholson is setting the record straight on his department’s recent purchase of four-wheel drive vehicles. “We needed some four-wheel drive vehicles and we were able to purchase them for only slightly more than what it would have cost to purchase a car,” he said.
The county’s top law enforcement officer told the Times-Courier, “We purchased a Ford F-150 truck on a state contract through Ronnie Thompson Ford for $19,500. We purchased five Chevrolet Tahoes on a federal contract from the state of Georgia equipment program through Bill Holt Chevrolet for $23,174 each. We also purchased a four wheel drive Chevy Trailblazer for $17,800.
“The cost of a Crown Victoria through a state contract would have cost us $22,000, so for just a little less than $1,200 more, we got quite a bit more vehicle,” said Nicholson.
The sheriff said, “With the purchase of these vehicles, we have adequate four wheel drive capability during inclement weather. They also improve our access to some of the more remote areas of the county and to the areas where the roads are not that good.”
Nicholson added, “Because these vehicles do not handle like cars, they have been assigned to a command staff and court services personnel. But, they are available if we need them in emergency situations.”