Senoia is searching

for a police chief again.

Mayor Dianne

Cleveland announced after Monday night's City Council meeting that Chief

Chuck Cannarella had tendered his resignation Monday morning.

"He said

the commute from DeKalb and a family illness were the reasons for his

resignation," Cleveland said.

Cleveland said

the chief's father had died recently, and he was having to spend time

with his mother, who was ailing.

The mayor also

announced that Officer Mike Aldredge had resigned, but offered no reason

for his leaving the department.

After an executive

session, the City Council voted 4-1 to appoint Major Olitta Bennett as

interim police chief for the next six months.

"This

will allow her to determine if she wants the job, and also allow us to

see if we want her," Cleveland said.

Bennett started

her career in Senoia in July, 2001 and has more than 20 years of experience.

The dissenting

vote against the appointment came from Councilman Pat Tunnell, who strenuously

objected to the move.

"I totally

oppose this hiring process. We're changing the rules as we go along. We

are not being consistent," he said.

Bennett started

her new position, with a 10 percent raise Tuesday.