Councilman Larry C. BlackRinggold City Councilman Larry C. Black has some big responsibilities. In addition to serving on the council, he works as a field supervisor for the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice.
“I’m a field supervisor in investigations,” he explained. “I have a group of investigators that report to me as their supervisor. We have facilities called Youth Detention Centers. We have hundreds of youth held in those facilities throughout the state. We investigate all major incidents of youth in custody. Some assault another youth and some assault a correctional officer and we work that.”
But that was put on hold while he underwent and is now recovering from heart surgery.
“I have a lot of faith in God and I know I will have a quick recovery,” he said. “I still serve on the Ringgold City Council. I did miss one meeting, but I don’t anticipate missing anymore.”
This was his fourth time since age 39 to undergo heart surgery. Black said he has a natural valve prolapse, which means his heart valve is insufficient. Surgeons inserted a tissue valve during his recent valve replacement surgery at Memorial Hospital.
Black began serving on the Ringgold City Council at the start of this year.
“In the campaign I heard a lot about the flashing sign,” he said. “I told residents I needed more information before I could make a decision on whether to move it or not. I try to take each issue on a surface value. I will continue to do that.
“One of my goals on the council is to put a rear exit out of Hardee’s onto 151. It will take communication with the property owner.”
Though Black doesn’t anticipate missing anymore council meetings, he can’t return to work for a few weeks, until his doctor, cardiologist Sam Ledford, gives him the OK.
Black graduated from Ringgold High School in 1975, then obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Brenau University. He graduated from the FBI National Academy in 1993. In his law enforcement career – he is a certified police officer – he served as a longtime employee of the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office, as the chief of police for Fort Oglethorpe, and as the commander of the Lookout Mountain Drug Task Force.
His mentor is retired Ringgold police chief Charles Land. Black has lived in Ringgold most of his life.
“I teach a shooting class called Cop Trained,” said Black. “I teach beginners how to shoot firearms. We teach when to shoot and when not to shoot. We take students out to a local range and teach them how to shoot. It’s a monthly class. All the instructors are police officers.”
Once he is fully recovered, Black said he looks forward to getting back to work and teaching the classes, and enjoying his hobbies: playing golf, canoeing, kayaking and coaching his son’s baseball team at Boynton Recreation Association.