Board and mayor in conflict over motions

The presentation of candidates for police officers at the July 18 meeting of the Holly Springs board of aldermen uncovered a number of concerns.

The aldermen and mayor’s concerns followed a presentation by Police Chief Grant Glover to add a list of recruits to the agenda for action.

Glover presented eight candidates for hire as officers, all certified except one.

He said many of the candidates have waited from two or three meetings to be presented to the mayor and board.

“We are short handed at the Police Department,” Glover said. “It’s urgent we get someone hired immediately.”

Mayor Sharon Gipson headed off Glover’s request by saying, “Let the record reflect these (recommendations) are over my objections.”

Gipson asked if any of the candidates had worked for Holly Springs before.

Glover named two candidates who had worked for the department.

Ward 1 alderman Bernita Fountain asked if aldermen could make a motion to hire or if the mayor had to ask for a motion to vote on Glover’s recommendations.

“You can make a motion,”said board attorney John Perry.

Ward 2 alderman Andre Jones recommended action on the request for hiring be held until the next board meeting (August 1).

“You can ask the mayor and chief to meet, that way we will know what’s going on,” Perry said. “I’m asking if you all can, that way it might not get to these type of things.”

“I expressed this to the body in executive session, that you know the lines of communication have to be open,” Jones said. “And whenever you are in a position of service, you have no choice but to have those lines of communication open, because I understand sitting in this seat that I got to make certain decisions that sometimes may not be beneficial to me.

“Sometimes they may not be in my way, but if it’s for the people that are rendering service, I’m going to yield and

make the right decision. And so I am just asking attorney Perry just what to do. I’m recommending that we hold these and when the mayor opens up the lines of communication in regard to the recommendations being made….”

“I appreciate that alderman Jones,” Gipson replied. “I will say my phone numbers are the same and also you are correct that we must move forward as to what’s going to be in the best interest of the City of Holly Springs, not for us as individuals…to follow the process and procedures as they are.

“And we always have to make the tough decisions whether it is something we like or not and we do also have to be respectful as we do things. We can disagree, but there is still a way to do it. I must say this is one of the most challenging moments I’ve had so far as sitting in this seat. I will also ask the board members to cease and desist their interference as for as whatever may be happening with me and any employee. We talk about everybody staying in their lane. That I think that we will see improvement there and we have to be clear.”

Jones replied to Gipson remarks.

“We have to be clear on the issues and that’s part of the problem,” he said. “Once you identify what the issue is and find a solution to it, then you move forward.”

Glover dismissed the candidates he presented to their seats.

“And it’s just that simple,” Jones said.

“It’s the same thing,” said Fountain. “People have to go through HR and chief Glover.”

“And bring it to me,” Gipson said.

“That still doesn’t stop you from carrying out our motion,” Fountain said. “You don’t get it, but you can’t just decide, well I’m not going to carry (facilitate) the motion. Come on.”

“Will somebody tell us what this imaginary motion is?” Gipson quipped.

“No, you didn’t ask for one. I know I can make a motion, but you’re supposed to do it,” Fountain said.

“No,” Gipson said.

“Yes you do,” said Fountain. “There’s no solution to this.”

“You vote it up or down,” Gipson said.

“It’s not (a vote it up or down), its a collaboration of everybody,” Fountain said. “And everybody is suppose to carry out their duties. That’s what we’re paying for. I know you didn’t want to carry out (facilitate) the motion.”

“There was no motion,” Gipson said.

Perry intervened.

“Alderman Fountain, there is a reason the mayor doesn’t want to call (for a motion), that’s why I said, if she didn’t call for a motion, it’s for aldermen to say ‘I move xyz, then everybody votes. Now after you call for a motion and after you make a motion, then she has to carry it out.”

“I motion to adjourn,” said Gipson. “Is there a second. Is there a second.”

“Before that motion to adjourn, we need to understand what the real issues are,” said Jones. “I know what the real issues are and so when the real issues are addressed, then we are able to (move forward). The real issue is leadership.

“As an alderman I don’t have the authority to direct an employee. That’s not my job. That’s the duty of the mayor. That’s the real issue. And for adults not willing to communicate in order to render service to the city, that’s the real issue. And until we understand that and learn how to eliminate ourselves and make the decisions we need to make, until we understand that, only then we can be effective as a board.”

“You mentioned as far as leadership, that includes you all as well,” Gipson said. “You know what I’m going to do, so you are correct about the issue.”

“But at the end of the day, something needs to be done in regards to what the real issues we have and that’t not incumbent on me as a board member to make those decisions. Those people in these positions know who they are and that’s what needs to happen. I second that motion to adjourn,” Jones said.

July 18 Public comments

During the public comment portion of the board meeting, realtor Greg Gresham presented problems when he has asked for help from the utility department in getting service. He said he was sent a bill for a water meter in May, while his account was set for automatic bank draft and got a cutoff notice for his water meter three weeks after he asked for the bill. A second request for electric service at a property behind Teddy’s Building Supply had not been responded to three weeks after he left messages at the electric department for service.

“I’ve spend hours on this and I don’t have a clue,” Gresham said. “This has been going on for five months.”

Jim Smith, a regular during public comment, spoke about how he was spoken to about how he conducts himself at the meetings.

“Imagine how frustrated I am,” he said.

Then he praised accounts manager Annie Mason, whom he called a God send, for after six months helping get all his bills corrected.

Smith cited a utility bill for $130 in December that jumped to $900 in January, and his water bill jumped from $100 to $172, he said.

“I’m not against paying my fair share,” he said. “I asked for (what’s driving) the rates and can’t get an answer.”

Ward 4 alderman Patricia Merriweather asked who is the person at the utility department to speak with.

Gipson replied.

“As you all know, we have some challenges at the utility department,” she said. “Ms. Mason is one of the persons who answers questions.”

Smith also praised another customer representative who had just been hired “who is just awesome.”

“We want to get him (Smith) answers,” Merriweather said.

“No matter how complex, is it an obligation?” Smith asked.

Gipson said a copy of Smith’s contract with HSUD should have been in the city clerk’s office.

“I’m concerned it’s been too long, so we can get to see who is accountable so we can get this rectified and move on,” Merriweather said.

Zenolia Anderson commented on the firing of two police officers at the police department.

“I know they are great officers. I know there are two sides to story, but my son is a good person,” Anderson said. “I’m trying to get answers for my son.”

“As for myself, I’m hoping they will be returned to the city,” Gipson said. “They are great officers. Certified.”

“What is the motive behind his termination?” Anderson asked.

Gipson said the board voted to fire the officers and she vetoed their motion and then the board came back and overrode her veto.

Merriweather countered saying, “I will share with you, any personnel issue will not be discussed in open session. That’s the law. Per the law we are held to terms of confidentiality.”

“You can’t discuss it publicly?” Anderson asked.

“When it comes to an employee, it’s is in closed session and you can’t discuss it with anyone,” Jones said.

Teresa Dobbs told the board the speed bumps she asked for on West Elder Avenue were located on the opposite side of her street off Craft on West Elder.

(Since the meeting, the city has installed two speed bumps on West Elder Avenue but not close to her residence).

John Barksdale spoke on behalf of the fired police officers asking they be reinstated and asked what the process would be.

Merriweather replied.

“You are still learning,” she said to Barksdale who is a high school student. “Anything dealing with personnel will not be discussed in open session.”

The board set several dates to hold budget deliberations for the next fiscal year.

The dates included August 8 and 22 and September 12 and 14.