Alderman urges action on projects

Frustrated Ward 4 alderman Patricia Merriweather challenged Holly Springs Mayor Sharon Gipson to get projects moving or she will take action.

Merriweather made her assertions prior to the mayor and board of aldermen going into closed session at the July 2 meeting.

“Madam Mayor, before we go into closed session on our agenda, we have a lot of questions we have asked to address the different projects that we have, the dates we are supposed to have completed,” Merriweather began.

She cited no action on:

• the Cuba/Hill Street project, a $600,000 project she said was to be advertised for bids by March 1.

• the TVA $430,000 project to clear right-of-way under power lines.

• the audit of the Holly Springs Utility Department that has not been completed.

• the cast-iron replacement project for natural gas.

• the signage for the Memphis Street name change to Ida B. Wells Street.

• the installation of a marque at the Eddie Lee

When she got with Mr. Jones she learned that not all the necessary steps had been taken to officially change the name of the street, she said.

Smith Multipurpose Center.

Gipson said she needs to schedule a meeting with engineer Larry Britt on the Hill Street project.

When she got with Mr. Jones she learned that not all the necessary steps had been taken to officially change the name of the street, she said.

“So, that has not been completed,” Gipson said.

She has spoken with the electric department about the sign and found out how to move that forward.

She said the auditor, Harry Stevenson, was asked about what he needs to complete the audit and he asked for minutes. She said in talking with Stevenson earlier she was told it would be about two weeks, but he still has not responded.

“In fact, I sent him a certified letter and he finally responded and what he said was during that time period he needed all the minutes and that was sent to him. So we are still waiting at this point in time and that is what the cast-iron project is waiting on,” Gipson said.

“We have been hearing similar stories and similar explanations like for the last really two and a half to three years,” Merriweather said. “At this point, I don’t know how the other members feel, but at this point, none of these projects have been completed. We’ve been asking about them and we’re yet being told, ‘I am checking on that. I’m going to do that next week.’

“At this point, in the next meeting, if these projects are not given a specific date of completion or next steps have been taken, it will be my motion to file an injunction against this mayor. And I will motion to lower the pay of this mayor.

“We have been again looking at these different projects and not one of them has been completed. Not one street in the city has been paved. The citizens are holding us as accountable as the mayor. So, I am informing this board, I’ve informed my colleagues, we need to take some action.

“We need to take some strong looks and actions because of these projects not being completed. It has nothing to do with personalities. This is the business of the city, that we’ve got to get these projects done. Today is the first meeting of our last year, July 1.”

Gipson alleged that Merriweather was campaigning.

“I’m not worried about campaigning,” Merriweather said. “I’m worried about getting things done. That the citizens employed us to do, to get the business done. Again, there is no plan, there is no schedule to get any of these things done.”

“I will definitely look into it,” Gipson said. “We have considered a lot of projects in spite of all the opposition, in spite of all the politicking. I’m proud of how successful we have been with the things we have achieved.”

Gipson called for a closed session to consider the need for an executive session.

Gipson announced the board had decided to go into executive session to discuss:

• prospective litigation in Parks and Recreation.

• personnel matters in Parks and Recreation.

• personnel matters in the Holly Springs Utility Department.

• prospective litigation in HSUD.

• personnel matters in in the police department.

• and personnel matters in all departments concerning overtime pay