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Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Alexander council approves development "concept"

The Alexander City Council has approved the initial "concept" for a new residential subdivision along Arkansas Highway 111. The proposal is to build a subdivision on a former cattle farm, which was recently sold by its owners Steve and Pam Scroggins.

The five to three vote supporting the, "Concept to continue planning" the subdivision was taken during a special meeting held Monday, December 22. Voting for the "concept" were aldermen Ceola Bailey, Lonny Chapman, Samuel Gregory, Faye McKeon, and Farren Wadley. Voting against was Alderman Juanita Wilson. Aldermen Andrea Bearden and Kenneth Miller were absent so they were each counted as a "No" vote.

Present at the meeting were Layne Penfield with Baxley-Penfield-Moudy Realtors, the company handling the sale of the property; and Bob McKeon, representing Saline County Water Works (formerly known as Woodland Hills Water and Sewer). Penfield told council members the "Approval of concept" is needed so the developers know they can continue the design phase of the development and take advantage of low interest loan rates before the end of the year.

The approximate 200-acre farm is divided by the highway with the largest portion on the west side. Aldermen were told the initial plan is to build 200 homes on the largest portion first, with another 100 homes to possibly be added later. There is an agreement with the Scroggins that if after two years the developers don't build on the east side of the highway, which is the location of their home, the Scroggins can keep that portion of the property. The development plan also includes keeping most of the wooded area and providing a walking trail.

Bob McKeon said he has been working with the developers for the past few months. He added the developers and water and sewer district have come to an agreement that if the subdivision begins to overwhelm water or sewer capacity the developers will fund any needed expansion of the system.

There seems to be a question as to whether the property is zoned for "Agriculture" or "Residential" use. It was reported in a previous article the property was still zoned "Agriculture" but according to Alderman Faye McKeon it's zoned "Residential."

The property was annexed by the City of Alexander in 2006 to allow the Woodland Hills area to also annex to the city. Alderman Juanita Wilson said she was under the impression the annexation of the farm was allowed by the Scroggins providing it remained zoned "Agriculture" until such time they sell the property. Alderman McKeon claims the farm was zoned "Residential" when it was annexed but the Scroggins were allowed to still operate as a farm until they sell it. Neither alderman were on the council at the time of the annexation and no documents were provided to establish how the property is currently zoned.

Wilson wanted to postpone the vote until the city attorney could be consulted. She questioned whether the council can approve a "Concept to continue planning" if the property isn't already properly zoned. This drew a negative reaction from some council members. Alderman Samuel Gregory said he was, "Ready to vote." City Attorney Kevin M. Lemley was unable to attend the meeting.

Besides not knowing how the property is zoned aldermen were left in the dark as to the type of housing to be built. No information was provided concerning the cost range of the proposed houses, or lot sizes.

2014 Budget extended one month
Council members approved extending the 2014 budget to, "January, 2015." The six aldermen present voted "Yes." Aldermen Andrea Bearden and Kenneth Miller were absent so they were each counted as a "No" vote.

State law requires the mayor to submit a proposed budget on December 1. Outgoing Mayor Michelle Hobbs failed to meet that requirement. A budget committee also has not been established.

This is expected to be the last time Hobbs and this council will meet. Beginning January 1, the mayor and six of the eight aldermen will no longer serve the city due to the recent General Election and run-off election.

Mayor Michelle Hobbs will be replaced by former Mayor Paul Mitchell who defeated her in a run-off election November 25. Ward-1 aldermen Ceola Bailey and Farren Wadley will be replaced by Louis E. Hobbs (the current mayor's husband) and Jeffery S. Watson. Ward-2 aldermen Kenneth Miller and Juanita Wilson will be replaced by Stephanie Beck and former Alderman Andy Mullins. Ward-3 Alderman Samuel Gregory will be replaced by former Alderman Dan Church. Ward-4 Alderman Faye McKeon will be replaced by Melissa Ratliff.

Miller and Wilson were the only incumbents to lose in the November 4 election. Bailey, Gregory and McKeon did not submit petitions to be on the ballot. Wadley was a candidate for mayor and therefore could not run for an alderman position. Ward-3 Alderman Andrea Bearden and Ward-4 Alderman Lonny Chapman ran unopposed. The term for mayor is four years and an alderman's term is two years.

The new council and mayor will have to get to work right away. The first item of business will be the budget for 2015. State law requires a budget be approved by February 1.

Sunday, December 21, 2014

Alexander's regular December meeting canceled; Special meeting scheduled

With only three aldermen and the mayor present the City of Alexander's last regular meeting for 2014 had to be canceled due to the lack of a quorum. Since Mayor Michelle Hobbs was present a fourth alderman would have provided the needed five members to hold the meeting. Under state law a mayor can be used to make a quorum.

Attending the Monday, December 15 meeting besides Mayor Hobbs were aldermen Farren Wadley, Samuel Gregory and Lonny Chapman. Absent were Ceola Bailey, Kenneth Miller, Juanita Wilson, Andrea Bearden, and Faye McKeon.

Even though an official meeting could not be held there was an informal discussion about one of the items on the agenda. The city council is being asked to change the zoning designation of the cattle farm that's in the city limits along Arkansas Highway 111. The farm, owned by Steve and Pam Scroggins, is in the process of being sold but the sale depends on the property being rezoned from "agriculture" to "residential" use.

When the Woodland Hills area was annexed in 2006 the farmland was needed to provide the connection between the City of Alexander and Woodland Hills. The Scroggins agreed to the annexation providing the farmland would remain zoned agriculture.

Present at the meeting was Layne Penfield with Baxley-Penfield-Moudy Realtors; the company handling the sale of the property. Penfield told council members the zoning change is needed before the end of the year to allow the developers to take advantage of low interest rates.

Mayor Michelle Hobbs has scheduled a Special Meeting for Monday, 
December 22 at 6 pm in city hall. Items listed on the agenda are "Layne Penfield," "Extend 2014 Budget" and "Public Comment." By state law because it's a Special Meeting the council is limited to only discussing and taking action on those items listed on the agenda. The public is invited to attend.

However, to change the zoning of property is more complicated than calling a meeting and voting. Before the city council can take a vote on a zoning change a public hearing must be held to allow residents an opportunity to voice their opinions concerning the proposed change.

The public hearing must be advertised in a newspaper for a set number of days prior to the hearing. The advertisement must include a legal description of the property, an explanation of the zoning change and the date, time and place of the hearing. Then an ordinance to change the zoning must be presented to the council for a vote.

This could be the last major issue decided by this council. Beginning January 1, the mayor and six aldermen will no longer serve the city due to the recent General Election and run-off election.

Mayor Michelle Hobbs will be replaced by former Mayor Paul Mitchell who defeated her in a run-off election November 25. Ward-1 aldermen Ceola Bailey and Farren Wadley will be replaced by Louis E. Hobbs and Jeffery S. Watson. In Ward-2 aldermen Kenneth Miller and Juanita Wilson will be replaced by Stephanie Beck and former Alderman Andy Mullins. Ward-3 Alderman Samuel Gregory will be replaced by former Alderman Dan Church. In Ward-4 Alderman Faye McKeon will be replaced by Melissa Ratliff.

Miller and Wilson were the only incumbents to lose in the November 4 election. Bailey, Gregory and McKeon did not submit petitions to be on the ballot. Wadley was a candidate for mayor and therefore could not run for an alderman position. Ward-3 Alderman Andrea Bearden and Ward-4 Alderman Lonny Chapman ran unopposed. The term for mayor is four years and an alderman's term is two years.

Monday, December 15, 2014

Lawsuit against former City of Alexander police chief moves forward

An appeal filed by former City of Alexander Police Chief Horace Walters has been denied by a three-member Federal appeals court in St. Louis. This ruling allows the civil rights lawsuit filed by former City of Alexander Assistant Police Chief Brad L. Williams to continue. The lawsuit stems from incidents involving a paycheck, police car lights and a contentious relationship between Walters, Williams and former Mayor Paul Mitchell.

In 2011 Williams was leaving the Alexander police force for another job. According to court documents Walters claims Williams purposely attempted to steal an extra paycheck and stole a set of blue police car lights from a locked storage area. Williams submitted his resignation on September 27, 2011. Walters charged Williams with "theft of city property" in December, 2011.

Williams lost the paycheck he received on September 3, 2010. Then Mayor Shirley Johnson approved issuing him a new check, which he cashed on September 8, 2010. About one year later the original check was found in a friend's car. Williams claims he did not realize the check was the one lost a year earlier. After cashing the check the error was discovered. The city council decided to not press charges and allow Williams to repay the city for cashing the extra check, which he did.

In the early summer of 2011 Williams borrowed a pair of blue lights from Tim Dudderar of the Saline County Sheriff's Department for a special assignment. Williams claims he discussed the plan with Chief Walters and received his approval.

After that Walters claims he told City of Alexander Police Officer Jeff Watson, "to locate a set of blue lights and install them into," the department's Dodge Durango. Officer Watson took the blue lights from Williams, who told him they belonged to Dudderar, and installed them on the Durango, court documents indicate.

Williams wrote Dudderar’s name on a piece of tape and put it on the lights. He then told Dudderar where he could retrieve the lights, which Dudderar eventually did. Williams contends Dudderar’s blue lights were the only blue lights ever in his possession, court documents state.

In his deposition Chief Walters claims Williams was involved in the disappearance of a second set of blue lights that were a gift to Alexander from the City of Benton. In court documents Chief Walters describes these blue lights as round and without serial numbers. However, according to court documents the transfer papers provided by the City of Benton that accompanied the lights did include serial numbers.

On December 20, 2011, Walters swore out an affidavit charging Williams with "Theft of Property" in regards to the cashing of the extra paycheck; four months after the city council decided to not press charges and allow Williams to repay the value of the extra paycheck. In the same warrant Williams was also charged with "Theft of Property" in regards to the police lights.

After Williams was arrested and spent a night in jail the new mayor, Paul Mitchell, had the prosecuting attorney drop the case because he knew it was part of a personal vendetta being perpetrated by Walters. Mitchell defeated Johnson in her attempted re-election in November 2010 and Williams was a supporter of Mitchell.

The appeal filed by Walters claims as a city official at the time he is entitled to qualified immunity from prosecution. According to the court ruling, "Because a reasonable official would understand that including false information in and omitting relevant information from an affidavit in an effort to punish someone for supporting one’s political opponent would constitute a violation of clearly established constitutional rights, Walters is not entitled to qualified immunity."


Saturday, December 13, 2014

Regular monthly Alexander meeting Monday, Dec. 15

The regular monthly meeting of the Alexander city council is scheduled for Monday, December 15. Meetings start at 6 pm and are held in City Hall across from the post office. The public is invited to attend.

Most certainly one topic of discussion will be the white Dodge car that's been sitting in front of City Hall for the past couple weeks. Allegedly it was obtained from DeVall's Bluff by Lander's in Little Rock when a police car sale didn't go through. The council has a freeze on all major purchases that do not involve the daily operation of the city.

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Mitchell wins in landslide

Former City of Alexander Mayor Paul Mitchell will be returning to city hall January 1, 2015. In the run-off election held Tuesday, November 25 Mitchell defeated current Mayor Michelle Hobbs by receiving 62.80-percent of the votes. With 207 votes cast Mitchell received 130 and Hobbs pulled in 77 votes.

The City of Alexander sits on either side of the Pulaski and Saline county line. Mitchell won receiving zero votes from the Pulaski County area of Alexander. According to the unofficial results Hobbs received 31 votes from Pulaski County residents and 46 from the Saline County side. Mitchell's 130 votes all came from residents in the Saline County area.

In the November 4 General Election Hobbs received the most votes at 161, which equaled 35.29-percent. But, in that election she didn't do any better in her home area of Pulaski County receiving 30 votes. The remaining 131 votes came from Saline County.

On November 4 Mitchell came in second with 127 votes at 27.79-percent. Three of those votes came from Pulaski County while 124 came from Saline, six less than he received in the run-off election.

There were two other candidates on the November 4 ballot. Corliss "Jerry" Ball received 110 votes at 24.07-percent, and Farren Wadley pulled in 59 votes at 12.91-percent. Ball received three votes from Pulaski County and 107 from Saline County. Wadley had one vote in Pulaski and 58 in Saline.

In the November 4 General Election 457 ballots were cast for mayor. In the run-off election only 207 people voted, or 0.45-percent compared to 
November 4.

Under Arkansas law a run-off election can be avoided if the leading candidate gets at least 40-percent of the votes and there is a 20-percent gap between that candidate and whoever comes in second. The law went into effect in 2011 replacing the requirement that a candidate receive 50-percent plus one vote.

Mitchell was first elected mayor in the 2010 General Election. During that election he also faced three other candidates, which included incumbent Mayor Shirley Johnson, Michelle T. Doss-Kidd (Hobbs) and Gordon O. Hall.

Unlike this year's election a run-off wasn't needed in 2010. Of the 493 total votes cast Mitchell received 298 votes (60.45-percent), Johnson received 116 votes (23.53-percent), Doss-Kidd received 45 votes (9.13-percent), and Hall received 34 votes (6.90-percent).

In November, 2012 Mitchell lost a recall election. Out of 640 votes cast 456 were "For" removal and 184 were "Against" removal. The petition drive to get the recall on the ballot was spearheaded by former Mayor Shirley Johnson, who was defeated by Mitchell two years earlier, and Andy Mullins who was Alderman of Ward-2 at the time. In December, 2012 the council appointed Hobbs as mayor.

In that same 2012 election Juanita Wilson defeated Mullins. Mullins regained his seat on the council during the recent November 4 election. Aldermen serve two-year terms while mayors serve four-year terms.

All candidates who won in the recent election can be sworn-in January 1, 2015. Anyone not taking the oath on January 1 has ten days to be sworn-in.

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Mitchell Wins

UNOFFICIAL RESULTS
                                    Pulaski     Saline     Total     Percent
Michelle Hobbs              31              46               77          37.20%
Paul Mitchell                  00             130            130         62.80%

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Alexander resolution to lower elected salaries fails

A tied vote kept the Alexander city council from lowering the salaries of the next mayor and eight aldermen. The proposed resolution would have reduced the mayor's salary from $840 every two weeks to $250 every two weeks and aldermen salaries from $100 per month to $25 per month. If it had been approved the new pay scale would have gone into effect January 1, 2015.

Voting against the resolution at the November 17 meeting were aldermen Ceola Bailey, Lonny Chapman and Sam Gregory. Alderman Farren Wadley was absent, which counted as a "No" vote. Voting "Yes" were aldermen Andrea Bearden, Faye McKeon, Kenneth Miller, and Juanita Wilson.

In the recent November 4 election Bailey, Gregory and McKeon were not on the ballot. Wadley ran for mayor instead of alderman and lost. Wilson was not re-elected and Miller, who was appointed to fill a vacancy on the council, was not elected by voters. Bearden and Chapman were unopposed and would have been the only aldermen affected by the change.

In a tied vote state law allows a mayor to vote "Yes" to break the tie. Mayor Michelle Hobbs did not vote and declared it a, "Dead issue."

Hobbs is in a run-off election with former Mayor Paul Mitchell. That election will be held next Tuesday, November 25.

Contractor paid despite environmental concerns
Hobbs decided to make the final payment to WDY Asphalt Paving despite Alderman Andrea Bearden's concerns that environmental laws may have been violated. WDY repaired the firehouse driveway/parking lot on South Alexander Road.

Bearden's signature is normally the second signature on payments such as these but she didn't want to sign-off on the project until two main concerns had been resolved. According to photos provided to the council and mayor WDY placed debris, left over from the repair, along the bank below the parking lot. Paint, left over from marking parking spots, also appears to have been dumped down the bank, which leads into a creek.

The area has been inspected by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). Bearden has been waiting for a final report from ADEQ as to whether the debris and paint violate any state or federal environmental laws. Bearden, along with City Attorney Kevin Lemley, warned that Alexander may be liable for any violations if they make the final payment to WDY.

The bid for the project was $27,000. The city had to pay WDY $9,000 to start the project. The final check was for $18,000. With no action taken by the council Hobbs gave WDY owner Willie Young the final payment.

During the discussion, which also included aldermen Juanita Wilson and Faye McKeon, insults were hurled at the three aldermen from not only residents attending the meeting but Young as well. Hobbs made no attempt to silence the rowdy spectators.

Young accused Bearden, Wilson and McKeon of fabricating problems in order to stall making the final payment. After Hobbs handed him the check he stormed out of the room vowing to never work for Alexander again.

Police car repair approved
The council approved spending $2,500 to repair a police car but not until Alderman Bearden was given a correct balance from the police fund. In their meeting packet the monthly balance from the bank showed $44,000. The city's accounting software showed $40,000 and the bookkeeper's balance sheet had $43,000. Aldermen are provided monthly reconciled balances based on the last day of the previous month.

The meeting was put on hold while Mayor Hobbs and bookkeeper Ruby Whittaker went into the city hall office area to determine the police department fund's final balance for October. While they were gone Police Chief Derrick Jackson showed Bearden his total for October. It was around $46,500 as of October 27. Hobbs and Whittaker returned and said the balance for October is $40,390.

While Hobbs and Whittaker were gone Alderman Lonny Chapman asked Bearden why she was, "squabbling over $2,500?" Her response was, "do you go spend money you don't have out of your household?" His facial expression indicated his displeasure with the analogy.

In other business:
The council passed an ordinance forming a planning commission. City Attorney Kevin Lemley will advertise the ordinance as required under state law.

The bids to repair the bridge on Cornerstone were thrown out because they were not advertised. Lemley will also handle the advertising for bids.

Mayor Hobbs announced the appointment of Derrick Jackson as police chief. She has also appointed two part-time fire chiefs.

Hobbs attempted to negotiate a new salary for police chief but Alderman Bearden stopped her by saying she was only interested in whether someone had been appointed. Jackson has been interim police chief since earlier this year when former Police Chief Horace Walters resigned.

After nearly four-and-a-half hours the meeting finally adjourned. By this time, however, aldermen Ceola Bailey and Sam Gregory had already left. The extra-long meeting was mostly due to not being able to have an October meeting.

The next regular meeting of the Alexander City Council will be held Monday, December 15. Regular meetings are held the third Monday of the month, 6 pm at city hall. The public is invited to attend.


Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Early voting for Alexander run-off election begins today

Early voting for the November 25 run-off election in the City of Alexander begins today in both Pulaski and Saline counties. The run-off election is between current Mayor Michelle Hobbs  and former Mayor Paul Mitchell.

In the Pulaski County section of Alexander early voting will be held at the Pulaski County Regional Building, 501 W. Markham St., in Little Rock. Voting will be held 8:00 am to 5:00 pm from Tuesday, November 18 to Monday, November 24, excluding Saturday and Sunday.

In the Saline County section of Alexander early voting is being held at the Vote Here Center, 221 North Main, Benton, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm from Tuesday, November 18 to Monday, November 24, excluding Saturday and Sunday. Saline County has a second early voting location at Grace Church, 4200 Hwy 5 North, Bryant, 10:00 am to 4:30 pm from Tuesday, November 18 to Friday, November 24.

The run-off election will be held Tuesday, November 25 from 7:30 am to 7:30 pm. Alexander voters in Pulaski County will cast their ballots at Little Rock Fire Station #18, 11500 Mabelvale West, Little Rock. Alexander voters in Saline County will cast their ballots at the Woodland Hills Facility Board building; located at the intersection of Hwy. 111 and East Azalea.


Under a new Arkansas law that went into effect in 2011 a run-off election can be avoided if the leading candidate gets at least 40% of the votes and there is a 20% gap between that candidate and whoever comes in second. In the November 4 election Hobbs received 161 votes at 35.29% and Mitchell garnered 127 votes at 27.79%. The other two candidates were Corliss "Jerry" Ball, who received 110 votes at 24.07%, and Farren Wadley, receiving 59 votes at 12.91%.

Saturday, November 15, 2014

Regular monthly Alexander meeting November 17

The regular monthly meeting of the Alexander city council is scheduled for Monday, November 17. Meetings start at 6 pm and are held in city hall across from the post office. The public is invited to attend.

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Early voting for run-off election begins Tuesday

City of Alexander voters will be able to begin casting ballots in the run-off election for mayor starting Tuesday, November 18 in both Pulaski and Saline counties. The run-off election is between current Mayor Michelle Hobbs  and former Mayor Paul Mitchell.

In the Pulaski County section of Alexander early voting will be held at the Pulaski County Regional Building, 501 W. Markham St., in Little Rock. Voting will be held 8:00 am to 5:00 pm from Tuesday, November 18 to Monday, November 24, excluding Saturday and Sunday.

In the Saline County section of Alexander early voting is being held at the Vote Here Center221 North Main, Benton, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm from Tuesday, November 18 to Monday, November 24, excluding Saturday and Sunday. Saline County has a second early voting location at Grace Church, 4200 Hwy 5 North, Bryant, 10:00 am to 4:30 pm from Tuesday, November 18 to Friday, 
November 24.

Under Arkansas law a run-off election can be avoided if the leading candidate gets at least 40% of the votes and there is a 20% gap between that candidate and whoever comes in second. In the November 4 election Hobbs received 161 votes at 35.29% and Mitchell garnered 127 votes at 27.79%. The other two candidates were Corliss "Jerry" Ball, who received 110 votes at 24.07%, and Farren Wadley, receiving 59 votes at 12.91%.

The run-off election will be held Tuesday, November 25 from 7:30 am to 7:30 pm. Alexander voters in Pulaski County will cast their ballots at Little Rock Fire Station #18, 11500 Mabelvale West, Little Rock. Alexander voters in Saline County will cast their ballots at the Woodland Hills Facility Board building; located at the intersection of Hwy. 111 and East Azalea.

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Mitchell adds Facebook and Twitter to election arsenal

Besides the standard, more personal methods of meeting and talking with voters, mayoral candidate Paul Mitchell has added Twitter and a Facebook page to make sure he reaches out to as many potential City of Alexander voters as possible. Mitchell and current Alexander Mayor Michelle Hobbs were forced into a run-off election after neither received enough votes during the November 4 General Election, which included two other candidates. The run-off election will be Tuesday, November 25.

Mitchell says he wants to get his message out to as many voters as possible. He will be sending out Facebook postings and Tweets providing reasons why he should be the next mayor of Alexander, Arkansas.


To "Friend" or "Follow" him, or if you wish to participate in the dialog, you can find him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PaulMitchellforMayor?ref=hl and on Twitter at @Elect_Mitchell . Use #Elect_Mitchell on either site when leaving a comment.

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Run-off election needed to decide City of Alexander mayor's race

As Yogi Berra said, "It ain't over 'till it's over." One more election is needed to decide who will serve as mayor for the next four years in Alexander. The two candidates on the ballot will be current Mayor Michelle Hobbs and former Mayor Paul Mitchell.

A run-off election is needed because none of the four candidates for mayor received 50% of the votes in the November 4 election. The run-off election will be held Tuesday, November 25. Ballots may be cast at your usual polling place.

Although the results are still unofficial Hobbs received 161 votes at 35.29-percent, while Mitchell garnered 127 votes at 27.79-percent. The other two candidates were Corliss "Jerry" Ball, who received 110 votes at 24.07-percent, and Farren Wadley, who received 59 votes at 12.91-percent.

Aldermen races were also decided during this election. Three of them were won by only a few votes.

For the Ward-1 Position-2 spot Jeffery S. Watson squeaked by Jean Cummings Fisher by four votes, 210 to 206.

In the race for Ward-2 Position-1 Stephanie Beck beat Kenneth D. Miller 234 to 184. Miller was appointed to that seat in October to complete the unexpired term of former Alderman Brad Scott who resigned in June. He will serve until December 31.

Another tight race was for the Ward-2 Position-2 seat. Former Alderman Andy Mullins defeated current Alderman Juanita Wilson 219 to 209. Wilson defeat Mullins in the 2012 election.

The Ward-3 Position-2 seat was won by only eight votes. Former Alderman Dan Church beat former Alderman Harvey C. Howard 219 to 211. Church also defeated Howard in the 2012 election when Howard was serving on the council.

Finally in the race for the Ward-4 Position-1 spot Melissa Ratliff defeated Monroe Cates 254 to 172. This is her first time running for elected office in Alexander. Cates has been on the ballot in two other elections and lost both times. This seat is currently held by Alderman Faye McKeon, who was appointed to the position in 2013 and did not run for election.

Three council seats had candidates who were unopposed. Louis E. Hobbs, husband of Mayor Michelle Hobbs, will serve as alderman for the Ward-1 Position-1 seat. That position is currently held by Ceola Bailey, who did not seek re-election. Ward-3 Position-1 Alderman Andrea Bearden and Ward-4 Position-2 Alderman Lonny Chapman were also unopposed.

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Another Alexander council meeting canceled

The third attempt to conduct October business by the City of Alexander council had to be cancelled due to the lack of a quorum. Four aldermen, the mayor and recorder did not show up at the Monday, November 3 meeting. Five of the eight aldermen were needed for a quorum.

Besides Mayor Michelle Hobbs and Recorder Sharon Bankhead not attending, also absent were Ward-1 aldermen Ceola Bailey and Farren Wadley; Ward-3 Alderman Samuel Gregory and Ward-4 Alderman Lonny Chapman. Wadley could not attend because the martial arts class he teaches on Fridays was moved to Monday due to Halloween. Those aldermen who did show up were Ward-2 aldermen Kenneth Miller and Juanita Wilson; Ward-3 Alderman Andrea Bearden and Ward-4 Alderman Faye McKeon.

Monday's meeting was scheduled at a "Special Regular" meeting held last Monday, October 27, in which council members only made it to agenda item-1. At that meeting the council was able to appoint Kenneth Miller to fill the vacant Ward-2 Position-1 seat, made vacant by the resignation of former Alderman Brad Scott. Since Hobbs refused to administer the oath to Miller the meeting was adjourned after scheduling a second "Special Regular" meeting for Monday, November 3. Miller was sworn in by Saline County Justice of the Peace J.R. Walters on Tuesday, October 28.

The reason for the October 27, "Special Regular" meeting was also caused by Hobbs. At the "Regular" meeting held Monday evening, October 20, Hobbs claimed she "forgot" to post the date and time of the meeting. So the meeting had to be canceled.

The next regular meeting of the Alexander City Council will be held Monday, November 17, 6 PM at city hall. The regular monthly meeting is held the third Monday of the month, 6 PM at city hall. The public is invited to attend.



Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Saline County alcohol votes can be counted

Circuit Judge Grisham Phillips has reversed his original ruling and now says all votes cast on the question as to whether alcohol can be sold in Saline County will be counted. The decision came yesterday (Monday) after the Arkansas Supreme Court ordered that 720 signatures, not counted originally, be included as part of the approval process.

On Friday, October 31, in a four to three decision, the Supreme Court ruled Phillips must reconsider the legality of the petition. During Monday's hearing Terry Brown, a deputy county clerk, admitted the clerk's office stopped verifying signatures when they had 73 signatures more than the 25,580 needed to put the question on the ballot.

Voters in Saline County are being asked if they want to allow the sale and manufacture of alcohol within Saline County.

In September a lawsuit was filed by three Saline County residents who were able to make the case to Judge Phillips to overturn 159 signatures, reducing the total amount on the petition to 25,497; 83 signatures short of the amount needed to be on the ballot. During the hearing on Monday Judge Phillips said he doubted there wouldn't be 83 legal signatures out of the remaining 720.

The group circulating the petition is Our Community, Our Dollars. After Judge Phillips ruled the petitions were invalid the group had the Saline County clerk verify the remaining pages and found there were enough good signatures to still put it on the ballot. But, Phillips let his original ruling stand because Our Community, Our Dollars  did not question the number of signatures within ten days of the clerk's verification as required by law.


Sunday, November 2, 2014

Summary of Alexander candidates and issues

On Tuesday, November 4, City of Alexander voters will be deciding who will serve on the city council for the next two years and who will be mayor for the next four. There are ten candidates running for five council seats and four running for mayor. Three other candidates for the council are unopposed. There are also six issues on the ballot.

The following is mostly a collection of facts with an occasional commentary.

Mayor's Race
Running for mayor are Corliss "Jerry" Ball, current Mayor Michelle Hobbs, former Mayor Paul Mitchell, and Ward-1 Alderman Farren Wadley. While Ball, Hobbs and Wadley have never been elected mayor Mitchell is trying to regain the position he lost in a recall election in 2012.

Corliss "Jerry" Ball is retired and known locally for serving on the former Woodland Hills Fire District Board.
  • He was a member and chairman of the Woodland Hills Fire District Board;
  • When Woodland Hills was annexed into Alexander, Ball negotiated a deal with Saline County that transferred all remaining dues owed the fire district to the city in order to jump-start an animal control department. (Unfortunately, the remainder of that money helped payoff a discrimination lawsuit the city lost in 2010.);
  • In 2012 Ball was appointed to fill a vacancy on the city council;
  • He voted to increase the city recorder's pay from $200 per month to $500 per month. (The recorder at the time was Michelle Hobbs.); and
  • After serving two months he quit.

Mayor Michelle Hobbs is asking voters to elect her mayor. She was appointed mayor by the former city council in December, 2012 after Mayor Paul Mitchell lost a recall election halfway through his first four-year term. Prior to her appointment as mayor she was city recorder. The only remaining members of that council still serving are Farren Wadley, who is running for mayor, and Sam Gregory, who is not seeking re-election. Hobbs is also a teacher.
Since Hobbs was appointed mayor:
  • Seventeen city employees and elected officials have quit ­- five police officers (including the chief who has yet to be replaced), five fire fighters (including the chief who has yet to be replaced), four city hall employees, and three aldermen;
  • This summer, with donations from local merchants, she handed out free backpacks filled with school supplies to needy children living in Alexander, but which part of Alexander? Did you get an invitation?;
  • Without council approval she had the former city attorney write two election ordinances (one would have increased the city sales tax from two-cents per dollar to three-cents, the other would reallocate one cent of the existing two cent sales tax amongst various departments. After finding out about her plan the council stopped it.);
  • She is responsible for the repossession of a fire truck after she decided to stop making the loan payments without consulting the council;
  • Was forced by the council to have the recent street repairs made in South Alexander (formerly Woodland Hills);
  • Changed the fire department from a combination of paid fulltime and volunteer firefighters to all fulltime firefighters without the funding to sustain it, or council approval;
  • She instructed police officers to enforce ordinances that are nonexistent, or expired;
  • Refuses to advertise for, or appoint, department heads for the police, fire and street departments;
  • Did not advertise to fill the last two vacant positions at city hall. Must have picked them from the family tree;
  • Keeps ditches and streets clean, mowed and repaired in North Alexander but not so much in South Alexander. When was the last time your favorite pot hole or collapsing drainage pipe repaired;
  • Doesn't pay bills on time running up late fees; and
  • Despite the council's spending freeze on purchasing assets for every department she has approved the purchase of chain saws, generators and other items.

Paul Mitchell defeated Mayor Shirley Johnson when she ran for re-election in November, 2010. He had been serving as alderman since November, 2006 when he was appointed to the council after Woodland Hills was annexed into the city. Mitchell was a member of the former Woodland Hills Fire District Board and is employed by AT&T. He is a "Red and White Team" member and has pledged to not accept a salary from the city as mayor.
As mayor:
  • In January, 2011 he learned former Mayor Shirley Johnson left the City of Alexander owing several thousand dollars in back payments and penalties to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). (Mitchell and the council worked out a payment plan with the IRS.);
  • Three streets were resurfaced in the Evergreen area of South Alexander;
  • Street lights were installed along Hwy. 111/South Alexander Road and Brookwood;
  • A new phone system was installed in city hall; and
  • He would hire the Saline County Highway Department to make street repairs that couldn't be made by the city street department.

Farren Wadley was elected alderman of Ward-1 Position-2 in November, 2010. He also owns and operates Wadley's Martial Arts in Bryant.
As alderman:
  • He was issued a "Letter of Caution" from the Arkansas Ethics Commission for an "Ethics violation" when he used, "City property for personal gain." (He was using the City of Alexander Community Center for his martial arts business without city approval.);
  • Voted for former Mayor Shirley Johnson's $800 per month pension; and
  • Voted to appoint Hobbs as Mitchell's replacement even though residents wanted a public vote.

Alderman Races
Ward-1 Position-1:
  • Louis Hobbs - (Unopposed, Husband of Mayor Michelle Hobbs)

Ward-1 Position-2:
  • Jean Cummings Fisher - Minister and new to Alexander politics.
  • Jeffery S. Watson - Currently unemployed, previously served as a part-time Alexander police officer and part-time firefighter under former Mayor Shirley Johnson.

Ward-2 Position-1:
  • Stephanie Beck - Paraprofessional at the Bryant School District, lost election to Brad Scott for same seat in 2012.
  • Kenneth D. Miller - (Incumbent) Appointed to Ward-2 Position-1 seat October 27, 2014 to fill vacancy after Brad Scott resigned, "Red and White Team" member, 25-year military veteran (retired), retired business owner, vows won't take alderman salary.

Ward-2 Position-2:
  • Andy Mullins - Retired, was a member of the Woodland Hills Fire District Board, as an alderman voted for former Mayor Shirley Johnson's $800 per month pension, participated in Farren Wadley's ethics violation, lead petition drive to recall Mitchell while on the city council, voted to appoint Hobbs as mayor, lost re-election in 2012 to Juanita Wilson.
  • Juanita Wilson - (Incumbent) "Red and White Team" member, retired, as alderman obtained $5,000 state grant to equip used fire truck, worked with state representatives to obtain attorney general opinions, currently not accepting monthly $100 alderman salary and says will continue if re-elected.

Ward-3 Position-1:
  • Andrea Bearden - (Incumbent, unopposed)

Ward-3 Position-2:
  • Dan Church - Elected Ward-3 alderman when he defeated Harvey C. Howard in 2012, "Red and White Team" member, disabled military veteran and has promised to not take a salary. He resigned in 2013 when Mayor Hobbs told him he couldn't decline the monthly salary.
  • Harvey C. Howard - Former Ward-3 alderman, retired, was a member of the Woodland Hills Fire District Board, lost re-election in 2012 to Dan Church, continually voted in favor of ex-police Chief Horace Walters despite citizens' complaints, did not consider how his vote would affect citizens, and has admitted to "going along" with majority just to keep peace, only alderman to not vote for Hobbs's appointment to replace Mitchell.

Ward-4 Position-1:
  • Monroe Cates - A medical transportation driver, has been on ballot twice for alderman, defeated both times.
  • Melissa Ratliff - "Red and White Team" member, has been helping City of Alexander as a volunteer to earn student college credit and says she is "Goal oriented."

Ward-4 Position-2:
  • Lonny Chapman - (Incumbent, unopposed)

Ballot Issues
ISSUE NO. 1
Popular Name
AN AMENDMENT EMPOWERING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO PROVIDE FOR LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF STATE AGENCIES' ADMINISTRATIVE RULES
Ballot Title
AN AMENDMENT TO THE ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION PROVIDING THAT ADMINISTRATIVE RULES PROMULGATED BY STATE AGENCIES SHALL NOT BECOME EFFECTIVE UNTIL REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY A LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
Summary
This one is pretty straight forward. State agencies are allowed to make their own rules that aren't covered by the State Constitution or State law. This proposed amendment to the State Constitution will add an extra step by requiring that all proposed rules be approved by, "A legislative committee of the General Assembly."

ISSUE NO. 2
Popular Name
AN AMENDMENT ALLOWING MORE TIME TO GATHER SIGNATURES ON A STATE-WIDE INITIATIVE OR REFERENDUM PETITION ONLY IF THE PETITION AS ORIGINALLY FILED CONTAINED AT LEAST 75% OF THE VALID SIGNATURES REQUIRED.
Ballot Title
PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE 5, SECTION 1, OF THE ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION CONCERNING INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM; AND PROVIDING CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CORRECTION OR AMENDMENT OF INSUFFICIENT STATE-WIDE PETITIONS.
Summary
Issue-2 establishes requirements that must be met before allowing anyone circulating a petition, for a state-wide initiative or referendum, more time to gather additional signatures. Under the proposed Constitutional Amendment, before being given additional time to collect more signatures, petitions must be submitted on time and have not only a minimum of 75-percent of the number of signatures of legal voters needed state-wide but 15 counties must also have 75-percent of the number of signatures of legal voters needed from each of those counties.

ISSUE NO. 3
Popular Name
AN AMENDMENT REGULATING CONTRIBUTIONS TO CANDIDATES FOR STATE OR LOCAL OFFICE, BARRING GIFTS FROM LOBBYISTS TO CERTAIN STATE OFFICIALS, PROVIDING FOR SETTING SALARIES OF CERTAIN STATE OFFICIALS, AND SETTING TERM LIMITS FOR MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
Ballot Title
TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION CONCERNING ELECTED STATE OFFICIALS; PROHIBITING MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND ELECTED CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS OF THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT FROM ACCEPTING GIFTS FROM LOBBYISTS, AND DEFINING KEY TERMS RELATING TO THAT PROHIBITION; PROHIBITING MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FROM SETTING THEIR OWN SALARIES AND THE SALARIES OF ELECTED CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS OF THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, JUSTICES, AND JUDGES; ESTABLISHING A SEVEN-MEMBER INDEPENDENT CITIZENS COMMISSION TO SET SALARIES FOR MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, ELECTED CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS OF THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, JUSTICES, AND JUDGES; ESTABLISHING THE APPOINTMENT PROCESS FOR MEMBERS OF THE INDEPENDENT CITIZENS COMMISSION, AND PROHIBITING MEMBERS OF THE INDEPENDENT CITIZENS COMMISSION FROM ACCEPTING GIFTS FROM LOBBYISTS; PROHIBITING CERTAIN CONTRIBUTIONS, INCLUDING CONTRIBUTIONS BY CORPORATIONS, TO CANDIDATES FOR PUBLIC OFFICE; PROHIBITING A MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FROM REGISTERING AS A LOBBYIST UNTIL TWO (2) YEARS AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF HIS OR HER TERM; AND ESTABLISHING TERM LIMITS FOR MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
Summary
Most of what is stated in the ballot title of this proposed Constitutional amendment is accurate. It does propose to prohibit, "Members of the General Assembly from setting their own salaries and the salaries of elected constitutional officers of the Executive Department, Justices, and Judges;" and "establishing a seven-member independent Citizens Commission to set," those salaries.

It also includes, "Establishing the appointment process for members of the Independent Citizens Commission, and prohibiting members of the Independent Citizens Commission from accepting gifts from lobbyists."

The proposed amendment will prohibit, "Certain contributions, including contributions by corporations, to candidates for public office."

After leaving office a member of the General Assembly will not be allowed to register, "As a lobbyist until two (2) years after the expiration of his or her term."

Up to this point the ballot title is relatively honest. It's when you get to the last line the deception starts. It says, "And establishing term limits for members of the General Assembly."

For those of you who are new to Arkansas, we already have term limits. Under the current structure members of the State House of Representatives are limited to serving three terms, which are two-years long. Members of the State Senate are limited to two terms, which are four years long.

The proposed amendment would totally scrap that language. It would be replaced with a maximum time limit of 16 years served in the General Assembly; whether an individual serves in the House, the Senate or both. Also, time served includes not only consecutive years but if someone leaves the General Assembly and returns the previous years in office still count as part of the 16-year maximum. Under the current system anyone who serves the term limits in both the House and Senate could rack-up a total time of 14 years.

It states, "A member of the General Assembly shall serve no more than sixteen (16) years, whether consecutive or nonconsecutive."

Time in office due to a special election or reapportionment will not be counted.

Setting aside for the moment the pros and cons of term limits, what voters should be asking is whether our legislators should be allowed to get by with trying to sneak this change through the system. Why is it worded to sound like voters are being asked to establish term limits when the truth is the proposed amendment will change the existing term limit system? Where was the truth squad in the attorney general's office that is suppose to check things like this?

If legislators think this is such a good idea why wasn't it proposed as a separate issue? This amendment is suppose to legislate ethics but is this a good way to promote an ethics amendment by giving voters what they want in order to sneak through something they may not want?

Issue No. 4
Popular Name
THE ARKANSAS ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE AMENDMENT
Ballot Title
A PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION TO PROVIDE THAT, EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2015, THE MANUFACTURE, SALE, DISTRIBUTION AND TRANSPORTATION OF INTOXICATING LIQUORS IS LAWFUL WITHIN THE ENTIRE GEOGRAPHIC AREA OF EACH AND EVERY COUNTY OF THIS STATE; THAT “INTOXICATING LIQUORS” IS DEFINED FOR PURPOSES OF THE AMENDMENT AS ANY BEVERAGE CONTAINING MORE THAN ONE-HALF OF ONE PERCENT (0.5%) OF ALCOHOL BY WEIGHT; THAT THE MANUFACTURE, SALE, DISTRIBUTION AND TRANSPORTATION OF INTOXICATING LIQUORS MAY BE REGULATED, BUT NOT PROHIBITED, BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY; AND THAT ALL LAWS WHICH CONFLICT WITH THE AMENDMENT, INCLUDING LAWS PROVIDING FOR A LOCAL OPTION ELECTION (WET-DRY ELECTION) TO DETERMINE WHETHER INTOXICATING LIQUORS MAY BE SOLD OR NOT SOLD, ARE REPEALED TO THE EXTENT THAT THEY CONFLICT WITH THE AMENDMENT.
Summary
This one is simple. It asks if you want to permit, "The manufacture, sale, distribution and transportation of intoxicating liquors," throughout the State of Arkansas. If approved, beginning July 1, 2015 voters will no longer have the option of deciding whether alcohol can be manufactured or sold in their county.

Issue No. 5
Popular Name
AN ACT TO INCREASE THE ARKANSAS MINIMUM WAGE
Ballot Title
AN ACT TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS CODE CONCERNING THE STATE MINIMUM WAGE; THE ACT WOULD RAISE THE CURRENT STATE MINIMUM WAGE FROM SIX DOLLARS AND TWENTY-FIVE CENTS ($6.25) PER HOUR TO SEVEN DOLLARS AND FIFTY CENTS ($7.50) PER HOUR ON JANUARY 1, 2015, TO EIGHT DOLLARS ($8.00) PER HOUR ON JANUARY 1, 2016, AND TO EIGHT DOLLARS AND FIFTY CENTS ($8.50) PER HOUR ON JANUARY 1, 2017
Summary
Issue-5 is another simple question. Do you want to increase the current minimum wage in the State of Arkansas from the current $6.25 per hour to $7.50 per hour beginning January 1, 2015; $8.00 per hour beginning January 1, 2016 and $8.50 per hour beginning January 1, 2017. The Federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour.

Issue No. 6 –
Popular Name
To Allow the sale and manufacture of alcoholic beverages in Saline County, Arkansas.
Ballot Title
To repeal the abolition of the sale and manufacture of intoxication liquors within Saline County, Arkansas and to allow the Director of the Alcohol Beverage Control Division of the State of Arkansas to grant licenses for the sale or manufacture of intoxicating liquors to include alcoholic beverages of every kind and type, including but not limited to beer, vinous, spirituous, and malt liquor within Saline County, Arkansas pursuant to applicable Arkansas State law and regulations related to alcoholic beverages.
Summary
This too is a fairly simple question. Voters in Saline County are being asked if they want to allow the sale and manufacture of alcohol within Saline County. Issue-6 will only appear on the ballots in the Saline County portion of Alexander. The sale and manufacture of alcohol is already legal in Pulaski County.

Up until this past Friday there was some question as to whether those votes would be counted. The Arkansas Supreme Court has ordered signatures not reviewed by the clerk's office must now be included in the count.

On Friday, October 31, in a four to three decision, the Supreme Court ruled that Circuit Judge Grisham Phillips must reconsider the legality of the petition by including an additional 720 signatures not used during the Saline County clerk's original verification process. The clerk's office stopped verifying signatures when they had 73 signatures more than were needed to put the question on the ballot.

A lawsuit was filed by three Saline County residents who were able to make the case to Judge Phillips to overturn 159 signatures, which brought the amount of signatures below the magic number needed to be on the ballot. The number of signatures needed on the petition is a minimum of 38-percent of registered voters in Saline County.

The group circulating the petition is Our Community, Our Dollars. After the first ruling they had the Saline County clerk verify the remaining pages and found there were enough good signatures to still put it on the ballot. But, the judge let his original ruling stand because Our Community, Our Dollars  did not question the number of signatures within ten days of the clerk's verification as required by law. The question now is whether Judge Phillips will make a decision in time for the election Tuesday.

Whether you're for selling alcohol or against, everyone should be outraged by a process that was stopped by someone in the county clerk's office because they thought there were enough "verified" signatures. If I were the conspiracy type I would think someone purposely verified enough bad signatures, stopped the counting, then sent out the word to file the lawsuit; if I were the conspiracy type. It's either that, or incompetence.

Either way, there should be an investigation and someone's head should roll. I find it difficult to believe stopping early when verifying signatures on a petition is common practice. Whether there's a decision by Monday or not, we should all vote on Issue-6 anyway just in case this whole thing is overturned.

Election Day is Tuesday, November 4. The polls open at 7:30 AM. And as my aunt always said, "Vote early, vote often."

Friday, October 31, 2014

Alexander council announces second "Special Regular" meeting for more October business

The Alexander City Council will hold a second "Special Regular" meeting Monday evening, 6 PM, November 3 at city hall. The purpose of the meeting is to continue with the October agenda.

Monday's meeting was scheduled at a "Special Regular" meeting held last Monday, October 27, in which council members only made it to agenda item-1. At that meeting the council was able to appoint Kenneth Miller to fill the vacant Ward-2 Position-1 seat. The seat had been vacant since June when Alderman Brad Scott resigned. The vote was four to three.

However, the only person there who could administer the oath was Mayor Michelle Hobbs and she refused. Eventually, the council decided to adjourn the meeting and reschedule it for November 3.

She began putting up roadblocks to the appointment as soon as the meeting started. First, Hobbs attempted to stop any action on the issue by claiming a vote on the appointment could only be made at a regular meeting, not a special meeting. City Attorney Kevin Lemley told the council and mayor there was no legal reason why the vote can only be made at a regular monthly meeting; especially since State law requires the vacancy be filled at the next regular meeting, which would have been July. Hobbs knew about the resignation three days before the June meeting but didn't release the information until the July meeting.

The July meeting was canceled due to the lack of a quorum. In August the council declared the seat vacant and notices were posted requesting resumes. The only resume received was Miller's. Miller and Ward-2 resident Stephanie Beck will appear on the November 4, ballot for the Ward-2 Position-1 seat. Beck did not submit a resume.

Next, Hobbs claimed she couldn't swear him in because she didn't have a copy of the oath and the form he needs to sign. She said they were on an employee's computer she couldn't access.

Both Lemley and Alderman Andrea Bearden found the oath on-line and in the Arkansas Municipal League handbook. Bearden also had a digital copy of the form with her. Bearden suggested the meeting could be recessed for 10 minutes while they go into the office area in city hall and print what the mayor needed. Hobbs was having none of it.

Miller was sworn in by Saline County Justice of the Peace J.R. Walters on Tuesday, October 28.

The reason for the October 27, "Special Regular" meeting was also caused by Hobbs. At the "Regular" meeting held Monday evening, October 20, Hobbs claimed she "forgot" to post the date and time of the meeting. So the meeting had to be canceled.

Because this will be a "Special" meeting Arkansas law requires an agenda be included with the announcement. When holding a "Special" meeting the council is limited to discussing and acting on only those items on the agenda. The notice and agenda have been posted at several locations throughout the city. The public is invited to attend.

Among several items under "Old Business" aldermen will be asked to decide on lowering the monthly salaries of future mayors and aldermen. A resolution reducing the mayor's salary from $840 every two weeks to $250 every two weeks and aldermen salaries from $100 per month to $25 per month was introduced at the August meeting. It had to be tabled to make changes to the resolution. If approved the new pay scale will go into effect beginning January 1, 2015.

Other "Old Business" items include a review of the ordinance covering city business licenses passed in 1993, the repair of the fire house driveway located on South Alexander Road and the search for new police and fire chiefs. Mayor Hobbs said at the September meeting she was interviewing for the chief positions and aldermen want to hear a report on her progress. However, they probably won't hear that report because Hobbs has already said she can't attend the meeting.

The only "New Business" item is the opening of bids for repairing the bridge on Cornerstone. Three bids have been received.

Following is the complete agenda.
1)   Call to Order:
          Ward 1:    Ceola Bailey           Farren Wadley
          Ward 2:   Juanita Wilson      Ken Miller
          Ward 3:   Andrea Bearden    Sam Gregory
          Ward 4:   Lonny Chapman   Faye McKeon
               
Sharon Bankhead                            Michelle Hobbs

2)   Minutes:              Reading and/or Suspension of September 15 2014

3)   City Attorney:    Lawsuits and pending issues (i.e. abandoned/neglected property)

4)   Monthly Reports:
          Mayor
          Fire Department
          Police Department
          Financial

5)   Old Business:
          a)   Carla Miller Check
          b)   Resolution amending rate of pay for Mayor and Council
          c)   Ordinance MO 93-01-02
          d)   WDY Paving
          e)   Interview results
          f)   Charging Mutual Aid
          g)   Yearend Financial Statement
          h)   District Court

6)   New Business:
          a)   Bridge on Corner Stone

7)   Public Comment

8)   Adjourn