After Mayor Michelle Hobbs said she would transfer funds to the fire department
owed by the general fund, the recently enacted spending freeze was reversed in
a five to three vote. According to a financial review presented by Alderman
Andrea Bearden the city had spent $6,879.98 of fire department funds for
non-fire department purposes.
Voting to end the spending freeze at the February 24 regular meeting
were aldermen Farren Wadley, Andrea Bearden Brad Scott, Ceola Bailey and Sam
Gregory. Voting to keep the spending freeze in place were aldermen Faye McKeon,
Lonny Chapman, and Juanita Wilson.
During a special finance meeting held January 21 five out of six
members of the Alexander city council voted to stop all non-essential spending
until the city's finances are back in order. The decision came after
discovering revenue for the fire department had been used to fund other
departments. The freeze limited spending to payroll, utilities, fuel, or a
declaration of an emergency.
Hobbs had vetoed the spending freeze but the veto was overturned at the
regular January 27 council meeting. Voting to overturn the veto was aldermen
Farren Wadley, Brad Scott, Andrea Bearden, Faye McKeon, Juanita Wilson and
Lonny Chapman. Voting "no" were aldermen Ceola Bailey and Sam
Gregory. It takes six out of eight votes to overturn a mayor's veto.
In other action:
Council members approved the "Organization of City Council"
manual for 2014. Essentially, the manual sets guidelines controlling how
meetings are conducted and the duties of elected officials.
City officials were forced to use the 2012 version during 2013 when four
of the new aldermen, elected in November, 2012, refused to make a decision on
the 2013 manual because they were left out of its writing. They were offered
the opportunity to read it and suggest changes but they declined.
The council also heard from Michael Height who wants to build a church
on the Northwest corner of West Azalea and South Alexander Road (Hwy 111). The
new church will cater to Spanish-speaking residents. His goal is to raze the
existing structures and build a new building.
Any evidence the funds have been corrected? Based on a promise? Really? Really??
ReplyDeleteAlso any real reason for the early lifting of the spending freeze?
Alex N. Der,
ReplyDeleteOnce again you have your facts wrong about the Spanish Mission on Hwy 111.
They are not going to Raze the existing Bldg. but re-model and clean the Bldg. up.
Mr. Carter, the owner of the property just leased the Bldg to the Church.
They have already started working on the Bldg.
Louella,
I agree with you!!! REALLY? REALLY? REALLY?????. Andrea and Juanita, even though she voted against lifting the freeze, are trying to get on the "YOU CAN"T DO OR SAY ANYTHING WRONG MAYOR" side of her. As I have said before "Look out Mayor Michelle you are about to get blindsided" They are still working on their agenda of bringing back X-Mayor Mitchell. He is ready to file for re-election as soon as the process starts. REALLY?REALLY?REALLY???
The only reason for lifting the freeze is so Mayor M and Jackson can buy the new police cars (5) when we only have 3 policemen counting Jackson. Why did Mayor M write up Chief Walters for not patroling when she lets Jackson stay in City Hall.
Now since we only have 2 other officers, after next week when Winberry leaves, Jackson will be working 7 "DAYTIME SHIFTS" and make all the overtime for it. Why don't he work with the other 2 and rotate the two 12 hour shifts to cut down on his overtime.
This is just another reason I think the STATE should step in and do something. Our tax money is being WASTED daily.
Bill
Thanks for the correction on the Spanish Mission. I guess the rest of us heard something different than you did.
DeleteActually, Bill We do need the police cars, BUT we can't afford them, We also can't afford to have them misused. We need a lot of things, but can't afford a lot of things. So what do you do at home when you need something and can't afford it? You make do with what you have, you improvise, and you try to get/save into a position to afford those things. You DON'T waste time and energy with lying about why, or who or how to circumvent what you don't have.
DeleteI don't understand why we have a suit sitting in city hall either. this is a little town, all officers should be in uniform and pulling a shift. Including our chief, when we get one.
Bill I'm a big supporter of yours but you got one fact wrong. Andrea voted to remove the spending freeze. It you read the column above it states Brad Scott Farren Wadley Ceola Bailey Andrea Bearden and Sam Gregory voted to remove the freeze. Sorry if I had to correct you we can still be friends. As far as Jackson working 7 days a week I haven't heard that but if that's the case it's because they have ran everyone off. Winberry in the best officer we have you see him out in the community talking with citizens. They like him a respect him. Now if it true about Jackson. Working seven days a week then I'm sure we have some alderman who are smart enough to deal with the overtime. Who knows I the mayor put the money in the right account when has she done anything that she said she would do? Also I heard a council member asked her about police cars twice and she just stared a blank stare and don't answer. Is that the leadership we need? There is a savoiur on the way to fix this cities problems and take it to better things!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletepeter burns,
ReplyDeleteWhen I wrote "even though she voted against lifting the freeze" I was only talking about Juanita. I knew Andrea voted "in favor". I guess I thought some could read between the lines or words. I would bet that if Andrea and Juanita knew that a YES vote was needed from Juanita that it would have happened. This is the kind of things the two of them are doing to gain trust with Mayor M!!!! In my opinion the way they had it planned it would have been a "TIE VOTE" then Mayor M would have cast an affirmative vote. Trying to make Juanita appear that she is working for the good of the Citizens. (Just part of HER AGENDA.)
You say "there is a savoiur (on the way to fix this cities problems". We thought that when after many, many, many years of bad Government rule in Alexander that "The Great White Hope" X-Mayor Paul would save the City. Nothing changed while he was in office. More trash, drugs, illegial spending & Etc. took place.
I hope you are not refering to him comming back to "SAVE THE DAY".
The majority of the Council will agree to let Mayor M do anything that will make her "LOOK BAD" later on!!! If the vote is tied they will let her break the tie with a "BIG YES". So much for the political scene in Alexander.
In my opinion Jackson is the reason all the "GOOD" officers are leaving. He has the blessings of Mayor M. in everything he does.
Bill
Paul Mitchell had his chance and failed. That is the absolute last person this city needs. He was voted out by a majority and only a few want him back in. The same people who hate the police and fire departments and want the drugs back in the street. The same people who are currently trying to destroy the city. Bill you and I know by reading this blog know Juanita and Mayor Hobbs hate each other, but we are also smart enough to read between the lines and know that hate can be put aside. After talking with people it seems odd to and old guy like me that Andrea and Juanita were bent on going after the Mayor and know from what I hear the Mayor asked Andrea to come on a Saturday and look at the finances. Seems odd that te Mayor would ask someone who despise her to just come in and willing look. My understanding is that certain good and hard working council members come to city hall and they are treated like outcast. I said that there is a savoiur in our future, I didn't say who. One thing I can tell you Bill it's not Mayor Hobbs and it sure isn't the HELL Paul Mitchell!!!'
DeletePB - I still haven't figured out what your on. But it has done a number on your brain, Now think about it:
Delete1. (a) Paul Mitchell was crucified by you and those who chose to assassinate by character defilement. Paul was turned on when you wanted to go in and tear up city hall the first day Shirley was out of office. He wouldn’t allow it, requiring a systematic audit ( don’t confuse “systematic audit” with Legislative Audit, taint the same thing – however he was waiting for Legislative audit to complete their audit (his statement to me)) Why would he allow a bunch of bungling citizens to come in and destroy any possible evidence?
(b) How many voters want him back is your opinion against mine. If he ever runs for office again it will be fact, for now it is merely speculation.
2. “The same people who hate the police department and the fire department and want drugs back on the street” P.B. that is the absolute essence of ignorance. It pains me to have to respond, but here goes; no body ‘hates’ the departments. They are a vital part of our community. That some (including myself) feel the departments are mismanaged is another matter. P.B. understand that NO BODY is “trying to destroy” the city. Not one side, not the opposing side. The people who are in charge, from the entire city council, the mayor, and all department personnel, as well as many in the gallery are very passionate about this community. That they have various opinions on what they feel is ‘right’ is not only a fact, it is a healthy fact. It is one of our basic rights. That they don’t have more workshop meetings to debate those opinions and bring them to their constituents as a viable option is regrettable. So is voting by the seat of their pants, (without prior debate, even WITHOUT PRIOR KNOWLEDGE.) Learning of an issue and voting on it within the hour is irresponsible; most council representatives are aware of this, and work on that rule, a few do not.
Really P.B. no body wants drugs on the streets. And as far as ‘back’ on the streets – look around, they haven’t gone anywhere!
3. “From what I hear” that means you are buying into gossip, assuming it to be true. On behalf of Juanita, Andrea AND michelle, that ain’t smart, and in this particular event isn’t even true (so I’ve heard . . . ;-) That would seem odd, to any reasonable man/woman.
As far as I have been able to determine, I am the chief person calling for the return of Paul Mitchell. He is a good man, and I for one would love to see what would happen if the playing field is level.
DeleteDon't forget he couldn't spit without the council gathering a lynch mob. They demanded michelle have ALL POWER. If you weren't there and were not witness to it, check around or FOI the minutes during his administration. The MICIH (most inept council in history) voted to give Walters full control over the police Department after Mitchell fired him and they voted to over-ride the veto, they also voted for Michelle as recorder to have full - no limit - rights to all information in city hall - which was illegal to say the least, but they didn't care.
Now, compared to then where are we? Shirley's people are in power, michelle has full sway, 'her people' are in almost every seat of authority. Mismanagement, law suits, experienced personnel gone, budget get no consideration, I truly believe PAUL MITCHELL would flat clean house!!!