Mayor seeks Public Relations consultant
For a second time, Holly Springs Mayor Sharon Gipson has recommended Lakisha Buffington for a position as public relations consultant.
At the Feb. 21 meeting of the mayor and board of alderman, Buffington presented her credentials to the board of aldermen.
“She does PR work and has worked in tourism and understands advertising and Facebook,” Gipson said.
The mayor said a consultant was needed to counteract negative content on social media with positive communications during the aftermath of Jan. 31 - Feb. 7 ice storm that wrecked the electric department infrastructure.
Gipson said she wanted to communicate more during the ice storm, but her first priority was getting the lights back on.
Buffington has worked with social media and served six years as executive director of the Holly Springs Recreation and Tourism Bureau.
Buffington has worked with social media and served six years as executive director of the Holly Springs Recreation and Tourism Bureau.
Gipson said she wants to start the official process of getting information out to the community regularly using a professional.
Buffington addressed the board of aldermen recounting her experience at tourism to make sure Holly Springs became a destination for tourism.
She said Tourism got clean audits while she served as director six years.
She created a Facebook page, “What's Happening in Holly,” she said.
The private group was established Feb. 17, 2022, and has 652 members.
The site, which is rule driven, can be used to promote, advertise, market and message others in the group and prohibits posting controversial topics.
Buffington said she has a GRC (Global Results Communications) in public relations. She said there is a lot of disinformation on many of the social media platforms, “a lot of rhetoric that is not positive.”
“We want the city to do damage control, to establish and rebuild social trust in the community,” she said.
Social media is used worldwide and “is a great way to get platforms and create a narrative to continue our positive attitude,” she said.
The platforms can be used to rebuild social trust and can network information in crisis management, Buffington said. Information can be shared covering a variety of topics such as food.
Access to certain documents can be an added feature, she said.
“Is that part our technology group is responsible for?” asked Ward 4 alderman Patricia Merriweather.
“Accessibility, I think is what she's saying,” Gipson said. “They (the city's IT department) post but don't draft. They just help to put it up and running – content they do not generate. I want to look and take some action.
“The lights were more important at that time. This would be for things happening in the city as far as branding and getting information out there – the complete story – a news letter and activities happening.”
“A paid position?” asked Merriweather.
“A contract. Just how we are already doing with WKRA,” Gipson said.
The mayor directed the board's attention to the amount of the contract on the third page of Buffington's handout.
“She has described multiple fees to get the ball rolling as far as the City of Holly Springs,” Gipson said. “She would like to lead crisis management.”
“I think we need to determine what we are looking for and what we need,” Merriweather said. “There are some communicating. The mayor and board need to be on the same page.”
Gipson said the monthly fee requested was $2,869. Board attorney John Keith Perry stepped in suggesting that a request for proposals would be recommended.
“If it's continuous, there is a price for service and it (the contract) would be ongoing after you run it.” He said the contract, once awarded, could run in perpetuity until the next board is seated.
Gipson thanked Buffington for making her presentation on short notice.
Next on the agenda was a recommendation to hire Janice Wagg part-time during ball season to assist with league and team management in Parks and Recreation.
“We didn't advertise this either,” Gipson said to the board, pointing to the parttime position for Wagg in Parks and Recreation.
“It's a position,” aldermanat-large Dexter Shipp said, pointing out that Buffington's was a contract offer, not a paid position.
Gipson said the board has to be consistent.
“If one has to be advertised, the other has, too,” she said.
“We actually moved on that last year,” Merriweather said. “Even as a volunteer, she (Wagg) has been a part of baseball for years.”
Wagg told the board she was paid to work with parks and recreation two years ago.
“You are way down in signups now,” Wagg said. “I'm here to train and share knowledge.” “I want to make sure we are in place (with sign-ups) this year,” Merriweather said.
In 2022, the city's baseball program never got off the drawing board because of lack of readiness.
“The official sign-up ends in April,” Wagg said. “You have to get uniforms first.” “We owe it to be consistent,” Gipson said. “I am not going to bring anyone up here who does not have a program for the city, but to advertise (the position) and be consistent on the record is different. That's what you did minutes ago.” “We are not trying to be unfair and unbalanced,” Merriweather said. “We have thought about it. Our baseball is crucial. We need to get things going already. We're not trying to be unfair to anyone.” Perry called for a three minute recess to discuss the matter behind closed doors with the mayor.
When the attorney and mayor came back into the boardroom, Shipp made a motion to hire Janice Wagg part-time, seasonally, at $15.50 per hour.
“My question, is the department head here?” Fountain asked. “I'd like to hear from Mr. Bruce.” Fountain was reminded a motion was on the floor and discussion would come after a second.
Ward 2 alderman Andre Jones asked Bruce what he needed for support of the program.
Bruce stepped forward.
“I'm in support of it,” Bruce said. “She worked with me two years ago. Yes, I am in support of her (Wagg).”
“Has Wagg been to HR?” Fountain asked.
“It will have to be discussed in executive session,” Gipson said. “He and I did have a discussion with Bruce, but it would be a matter of insubordination.”
Jones asked what the previous discussion of Buffington's contract proposal would mean in light of the part-time position and fee for Wagg.
Perry said the threshold amount for Buffington was legal at $75,000.
The motion on the floor to hire Wagg part-time passed with three ayes and one abstention in Jones.