Recap of August 2, 2011 Board Meeting
Tuesday's meeting started with citizen’s comments and Michael Holder and Perry McLemore questioned the board about their recent change in employment status. Holder and McLemore were hired brought on as full-time employees, but it was changed after Bobby Gibson got upset that Michael Holder and Perry McLemore mowed the grass at the 5th Avenue Park. Gibson thought Holder and McLemore were cutting the grass at the request of Alderman Rogers and since Gibson was serving as Mayor ProTempore, he decided that he didn't want any city worker to cut the grass at the 5th Avenue Park and since Holder and McLemore disobeyed his orders, he went back and had their employment status changed. At the meeting, he stood by his lie and said that they were never hired as full-time, but the minutes state that the board voted to rename the employment status of Holder and McLemore. If they were never hired on a full time, why would the board need to vote on changing their employment status?
The new deputy clerk was introduced to the public. Her name is Cindy Wall and she was apparently hired on to make water bill deposits since it was too difficult for the two clerks to manage to collect payments and make deposits. There is still some billing/over reading issues in the water department, even after they previously stated that Betty Speights was the reason for these types of issues. There were several residents that were billed twice for one month of water service. Luckily, they held on to their receipts and were given a credit for the billing error. I guess those that didn't have a receipt of cancelled check were forced to pay their water bill again. So, keep a copy of your receipt because this is apparently another scheme to get money into the "Where Are We Gonna Eat Today Fund?"
The board went into executive session and based on the recommendation of Dennis Hobson, they will allow Johnathan "Oppie" Hosey the opportunity to resign. Apparently, Hosey has gotten himself into a legal issue and in order to make sure he has a clear employment record, they want to give him the chance to resign. How thoughtful. . Not. At the recommendation of Dennis Hobson, the board terminated several officers, including Joshua Messner and Andrew Phillips, who were basically terminated because they were hired by Chief Fortenberry, but we have Hosey, who was just bragging the other week about clearing 40-50 hours of overtime during the month of July, making a bad call to get involved in an incident that could have some serious legal repercussions, given the opportunity to resign. Well, that’s the high points of the latest board meeting. . Auf Wiedersehen.
There are three things that happened at the board meeting you didn't blog about. First off, Rebecca was very ansy. What was going on with her? She was acting like a drug mule that was about to undergo a cavity search. Could this be related to the fact that her husband was convicted of his drug charges? Also, Stephanie was holding both her stomachs throughout the meeting and informed the board that she was going to have surgery later this month. What kind of procedure? Is she getting those cysts removed from her ovaries or is she finally getting a hystorectomy? If she had a conscience, I would have thought she was worried, but we know that's not the case. And finally, you didn't say anything about Kent Crider efforts to get a hospital in Lumberton. We would like a follow up on that situation.
ReplyDeleteWhy is this city continually hiring new people? When Lumberton had a lot of revenue, there were only two clerks. If those working in the office can't keep up and there is not business coming to the city, what are they going to do when business come to town. For years, this city had only two clerks. If beauty and the beast (JoAnn Ladner and Faye Engle) could keep the office going then Ren and Stimpy shouldn't have a problem either. If they can't keep up with their day to day activities after all these years, then they need to be replaced by people that know how to multitask.
ReplyDeleteQuestion:::If its not the city responsibility to cut the grass at the park, then why is the city able to shut the park down every Easter??
ReplyDelete@ Inquiring Minds. . . Rebecca has so many issues that you can't look at her behavior and think something is wrong. I don't know about the status of her husband's case but whatever the results of his trial, it will all be revealed soon. Now, I may be critical when it comes to our city clerk, but I try to keep my comments based on her work ethics or lack thereof, but I think it's in poor taste to attack her illness. Stephanie informed the board that she will be out for medical reasons, I don't know what they are and I don't care what they are, but I would encourge you to pray for her recovery instead of making light of the issue. In closing, I didn't mention anything about the hospital. . because. . .well, you'll have to wait for my blog post for that answer.
ReplyDeleteWell, when does the new deputy clerk Cindy Wall or Wallace, whichever, that was hired to be able to multi-task supposed to start? Maybe she will be able to keep things going in a positive manner, which hopefully will allow things to run smoother for everyone involved!
ReplyDeleteI was there when Hosey was talking about the overtime he was getting and I don't think he was bragging. He was saying how thankful he was for having opportunity to get the overtime because his family was depending on him. Now that I'm looking back over the blog, I don't think Hobson was giving Hosey and opportunity by forcing him to resign because now Hosey is not able to draw any unemployment because he essentially quit his job. I thought Hosey was a good and fair officer. I don't think he should have resigned. The man involved in the case came to Lumberton and thanked Hosey and Hobson was there so it wasn't a job threatening situation. Hosey was trying to be helpful and he did it on his off time. What it all boiled down to was Hobson and his control issues. He was upset that Hosey didn't call him and tell him what he was doing and that's why he pressured Hosey into resigning. I know there are people that say you are always being negative, but there is a lot of dirty things going on in Lumberton and I'm glad you're not willing to stick your head in the sand and act like nothing is happening. We must be weary of those like Hobson. Why would a person leave Meredian to come to Lumberton unless there was a problem? We must be mindful when there are those that are willing to walk over everyone in an effort to get a promotion.
ReplyDeleteAmen. I got chills reading that last statment because it confirms that somebody else gets it. Hopson does have control issues. But there are those of us who will not allow someone to control us. Here we are again with the board allowing Hopson to get rid of good officers again. Hopson said the same thing about Franklin that he said about Hosey, "He didnt call him." Next the officer was fired at the recommendation of Hobson. There is a pattern with control freaks and it repeats itself over and over. Just watch how he conducts his department.
ReplyDeleteYou are right also about being mindful. A person who walks over everyone for gain leaves a path of destruction whereever they go. Watch and pray, cause destruction is coming. He is working on the foundation now, the board.
Do you know Kent Crider wants to build a new hospital in Lumberton. On whose land? Look into it. There is a building (the old hospital) just sitting there that could be remodeled. But no, he wants to build a new one to benefit a certain landowner. It's in the wind that the board was approached about taking the old hospital and remodeling it and opening it again and be run by the hospital in Hattiesburg. But Kent turned the tables and suggested building a new hospital on this certain individual's land and all talks fell through.
ReplyDeleteThere is something more serious going on in Lumberton and we need to stop looking and pointing a finger at this blog. We better starting looking into what this man is saying and take a stand. Ask yourself, why is this Chief of Police and others so focused on Jonathan and his writings? Why are they so focused on silencing him? If I thought Jonathan was just talking, lying and being negative about something I wasn't doing, I would just file a lawsuit for slander and be through with it and fight him in court. But if I'm lying, double dipping, conning, stealing and the such, I would proceed to threaten him, conduct a smear campaign, try to discredit him, etc., because that all I would know to do. Especially if this is how I normally do things.