It will be used in hazardous material situations and in checking out suspicious or possibly explosive items. It will require a change in the municipality's charter. The city, with a population of 1,000, hopes that the new, progressive-sounding title will bring more economic development. The Paris Civic Center opened in 1999 and had more than 75,000 visitors in its first year of operation. That is far more than anticipated.
City officials are pleased.
The center, funded jointly by the city and the Paris Special School District, offers programs for the school as well as for citizens of all ages. The money will be used to expand the water treatment plant and construct transmission line replacements to a number of surrounding communities.