Boardroom security/bullying raised

An issue of boardroom security and threats to members of the Holly Springs Board of Aldermen was raised at the Dec. 19 meeting.

Following an apparent serving of subpoenas by an unknown black female who walked up to the seated aldermen and handed out papers, Ward 4 alderman Patricia Merriweather was prompted to open a discussion on the need for a metal detector in city hall. She also added threats and bullying to her concerns.

“I know for safety in board meetings, is there any way we can discuss a metal detector?” she asked. “I know safety is a key. I don’t know if Madam Mayor we’re here the night in a special session when an individual made threats to a board member.”

The alderman said the person made threats to several board members and used profanity calling board members names including the “B”-word and the “P”-word and threatening to throw a chair and hit a board member.

She said she loves her job but never tolerated bullying in her prior service positions as principal.

“I do this job from my heart. I’ve been in service for the majority of my life. But it seems like since I’ve been on this board, when a board member feels bullied, that our vote is being suppressed,” she said. “At times I do have hesitation with the way my heart wants to vote because of this individual.”

She said the person used threatening words like “I got you” or “I’m going to get you.”

Merriweather suggested a police officer should be placed near the board of aldermen for protection.

Mayor Sharon Gipson interrupted to say she also has endured similar circumstances.

“It should not be done to you, madam Mayor,” Merriweather said.

Ward 1 alderman Bernita Fountain rose from her seat and went into the conference room.

Board attorney Garrett Estes suggested the matter be taken into closed session.

Ward 3 alderman Colter Teel expressed concern at an incident just minutes prior to the discussion.

“Well, this instance right here that this lady just walks up here and just starts walking around passing out papers. That should never have happened,” Teel said. “We just look around and she’s in back of us. Somebody needs to be in here just to protect us from that.”

Merriweather cited the shooting of U.S. Congressman Gabby Gifford.

“I’m just voicing my concern,” she said. Gipson said she also had endured similar circumstances and began to list her occasions.

Merriweather objected, saying she was interrupted and had not finished speaking.

“Madam Mayor, stop making light. This is serious,” she said.

Gipson made liberal use of the gavel in order to retain the floor.

“Everyone has to accept their role in this,” Gipson began. “That’s very concerning to me. I had no idea what was going on either (the lady handing out papers). I’ve had people coming up and make derogatory comments as well, right at the mic.

“I heard the word bullying. Let’s not talk about bullying. I heard that word, because it has been rampant these last two years. So it’s a tragedy.”

Gipson listed some instances as examples – being followed to her car, employees standing over her saying what they were going to do to her, being accosted by someone at the Multi-purpose Building.

Estes cautioned again suggesting the discussion be taken into closed session.

Ward 1 alderman Bernita Fountain wanted the breach of security discussed in open session.

“I think it should be addressed out here (in open session) because it is a breach in security (for a person) to come in here and not be stopped before they get to this board and the mayor,” Fountain said. “If you are a police officer on that door back there, that’s your responsibility. Because there needs to be more security here and not making light of alderman Merriweather or making light of Mayor Gipson.

“Everyone has been affected by the lack and the slack.” No one should be allowed to get that far to the board and mayor, she said.

“Now we can go into closed session,” Fountain said.

“Well said,” was spoken by an alderman.

Merriweather continued saying to Estes she has asked about banning someone from the boardroom for security purposes.

“And that includes the mayor (mayor’s security),” she said.

“And the city clerk,” Fountain added.

“We are not looking to ban certain individuals because we don’t like their positions,” Gipson said, adding that an entire Facebook page was “set up in my honor. If someone says something to me that is true, that is not a threat to me.”

“Mayor Gipson, I know the difference between a threat...” Merriweather said and was drowned out by the mayor’s gavel again.

Fountain said the matter has been discussed three times and Robert’s Rules of Order comes into play. “The time limit is up on it,” she said. “That is true,” Gipson said,

turning back to the agenda items.

Fountain said the police chief, Darryl Bowens, was in the audience and she wanted to know if he would advise putting in a metal detector.

Gipson said the budget would need to be consulted first adding that city hall has cameras in places that the public does not know of.

Estes again recommended taking the matter into executive session.

“We just add that to executive session, Mayor?” Teel asked, and the matter was dropped.