Recap of July 5, 2011 Board Meeting
The aldermen didn't want to hear citizen's comments so it was moved to the bottom of the agenda. Betty Ford, LPN, addressed the board and expressed interst in getting a lease for the Lumberton Hospital in order to house an assisted living facility for handicapped patients. Ford said that she was aware of the amount of work needed to restore the building and she wanted to get a long term lease. The board said they would talk with the city's attorney to work on an agreement so that Ford could get contractor's into the building to gather information and provide estimates on the work needed to restore the building. Next on the agenda, Rachel Jefferson addressed the board about her arrest after asking the clerk about the delay in dispersement of her child support payments. Shortly after Jefferson started to speak, Bobby Gibson told her to "hurry up and get to the point." Jefferson was giving the details of what transpired, but the majority of the board (Gibson, Crider and Hale) really wasn't intersted in heraring her story. After Jefferson started giving more details of what happened, she was interrupted by Rebecca Hale and Stephanie Mullings who said they didn't think the details of the incident could be discussed because it would be considered a HIPPA violation. Really? For the record, HIPPA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)regulates the use/disclosure of an individual's health information; it does not apply to child support payments. Rachel Jefferson could tell that they (Gibson, Crider and Hale) were not intersted in hearing her side of the story so she ended her discussion with by giving the board a pile of papers that outlined Stephanie Mullings social media history. The papers showed how Stephanie was on facebook during work hours and during the MML conference. Stephanie defended herself by informing the public that she does not take lunch breaks; she takes 10-15 minute breaks throughout the day and that's when she's on facebook. Stephanie also asserted that it shouldn't matter since she was using her personal cellphone, not the city's computer, to post pictures and updates on facebook. The board is currently reviewing the city's personnel policy and hopefully, they will address social media issues.
Next the department heads addressed the board. Melinda Carli stated that the county will be doing the electrical work at the Lumberton library, which will result in a temporary closing of the library. She stated that the work will not interfer with the Summer reading program. Dennis Hobson said that all is well in the Lumberton Police Department and that the Lamar County Sheriff's Office will be assisting the Lumberton Police Department in setting up road blocks and traffic stops. Just last month, Danny Riegal sent a letter out stating that the Lamar County S.O. had to make some major cuts to their departments, so where are they getting the extra funding to assist the Lumberton Police Department? Hobson also stated that "his" officers are 110% certified. The board decided to pay Cassandra Fortenberry and Franklin for their accumulated comp time, but not for their sick days. Hopefully, Fortenberry and Franklin will put in a request for payment of their sick days because the board set a prescident when they paid another employee for her sick days after she was terminated; so they are obligated to pay other employees for their sick days as well.
Jerry Walters, LVFD Chief, gave an update on the fire department. Walters said that they are expecting some new trainees. A lot of blame has been placed on the LVFD, but last night was an eye opener. Walters and his crew checked the 178 water hydrants throughout the City of Lumberton and a suprisingly high number of the hydrants are not working. This information was passed on the the public works department, but a public works employee, not the board, decided that the low-pressure fire hydrants was a non-issue. Walters and his crew will be going out again to tag the fire hydrants; fire hydrants tagged in yellow will indicate that the fire hydrant is not working and those tagged in green will mean that the pressure is lower than 50 lbs. Unfortunately, the majority of the faulty hydrants are located in Wards 3 and 4.
Susan Guidry will be allowed to carry over 15 vacation hours to the next anniversary year and Stephanie Mullings was given permission to attend another conference, but this one will be in Jackson, MS. Perry McLemore and Michael Holder were given a raise; Crider and Johnson were against the raise while Hale and Rogers were for the raise; Gibson reluctantly voted to bring the pay of these two workers up to par with the rest of the public works department employees. Right before the close of the meeting, it was announced that the demolition of the buildings on Main Street will begin next week.
I find it intersting that Stephanie has turned this into an issue of religion. I am her facebook friend and I am friends with Jonathan. Jonathan has said some things about Stephanie that might not be good to hear, but he never talks about her outside the realm of his blog. Since I am Stephanie's facebook friend, I get all the posts and comments she make about Jonathan and the Informer. She never calls out his name, she just say your blog, etc. This is not about your walk with Jesus, it's about city politics. Stephanie is always talking about the Lord knows her heart. Well, God knows all of our hearts, but the point that the blog is trying to make is do you know your job? and it seems that the answer to that question is no. What surpised me was the fact that Stephanie is allowing her mother and her kids to make degrading remarks about Jonathan. This is not an area for kids to enter. There have been times when people have attacked other people's kids on the Informer and Jonathan asked them not to attack the children of elected officials and city employees. While Stephanie's group of supporters are cheering her on every day, I find it strange that they claim Jonathan is without integrity, but he has shown more integrity that your kids and your mother because he don't allow people to attack your family. Sadly, you are not doing the same. You may find some degree of pleasure in allowing your kids to walk into an adult situation, but I hope you know what comes with that territory.
ReplyDeleteBen Winston and George Stevens holds just as much blame for the fire in Lumberton as the public works department. The fire department is doing what they can with what they have, but Lumberton does not have any representation on the Board of Supervisors level. Sad.
ReplyDeleteThe letter sent to the Board by Sheriff Riegal was in reference to billing for medical expences at the Lamar County Jail for Lumberton prisoners, and had nothing to do with patrol.
ReplyDeleteIm curious to know specifically what Stephanies kids are saying about Jonathan on facebook or anywhere.... Please be specific....
ReplyDeleteWell! Well! Well!
ReplyDeleteHeil! Heil! Heil!
First our new Captian, no slash that, our new
Chief lied about the fact that the police department was doing well, when in fact he was responsible for getting rid of 6, yes SIX CERTIFIED officers in one night. Two full time and four part time. Then, he lies with a straight face and said that Lamar County Sheriff's Department would be assisting with patrol. Who in their right mind would send their officers to help protect a city when said city is firing CERTIFIED officers on a whim? This is who the board wants in charge? If the new chief is screwing up this bad this early making new jerk decisions, we are in for some crazzzzy and scary times. Every word out that man's mouth is a lie.
still wanting to know what Stephanies kids have said about jonathan... if you dont want to back your statements on here why accuse people of saying things in the first place..... which kid is it? the 2 year old, the 5 year old... hmmmmmm....
ReplyDelete