The Good, The Bad & The Ugly--May 1, 2012 Board Meeting

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Paul Ockmond started off citizens comments by inviting everyone to the National Day of Prayer event on Thursday. Then Amos Fagan addressed the board. I'm not sure about the comments he made, but they apparently irked Alderman Gibson because he wanted to board to enforce the two minute speaking rule and he also want citizens to submit a letter of intent/purpose whenever they want to be placed on the agenda. Although it wasn't mentioned during the meeting, but last night was Rebecca Hale's last night as Alderwoman, Ward 1. Hale submitted her letter of resignation and it effective May 2, 2012. Now, the City of Lumberton must hold a special election before June 17, 2012 to fill her spot on the board. It seems that Jay McGrew and Deborah Gallagher are vying for the vacated positon in Ward 2. Kim Rogers, founder of the KeKe B Foundation, made an impassioned plea to the board members; asking them to remember the promises they made before they were elected. Kim told the board to stop hiding behind the mask of hatred and back-biting and to get down to doing what's best for the City of Lumberton. Kim also said that she's not ashamed of her town, but she's ashamed of the actions of our elected officials. Kim also pleaded with the board to promote Elsie Cowart to the position of Chief of Police. She said how the kids loved her and how she interacted with the community. Kim along with everyone else in the room, with the exception of Gibson, Johnson and Crider, felt that Elsie was the best person for the job. Despite the passionate plea from Kim Rogers, there were not enough votes for Elsie to become Chief of Police. During the department heads report, Hale questioned the fuel usage of the fire department. She said that it seemed a bit excessive, but for some reason, the excessive amount of fuel that was used by Hobson was overlooked. The board voted to hire one full time certifed police officer, Michael Flynt, two part time certified police officers, Derrick Davis and Nathaniel Works and part time police officer Jean Grice. All of the officers will be on a 90 day probationary period and were hired based on the recommendations of Interim Chief Elsie Cowart. The board entereded into a contract with the Lumberton Volunteer Fire Support Group for one year and they voted to autorize Jerry Walters use of R1 to attend the Chief's Conference in Jackson, MS, May 31-June 3, 2012. The board members went into executive session and later amended the agenda to hire the officers that were recommended by Chief Cowart. When the board went into executive session, I told Pastor Perry Holder that it was very disheartening to know that most of the people on the board are confessed Christians and they're not willing to work for the greater good of the City of Lumberton. Pastor Holder turned to me and said that "just because they confess it does not mean they possess it."

Comments

  1. AnonymousMay 2, 2012 at 11:00 AM

    I'm glad Mrs. Kim took a stand and told what these people on board is all about. Kim you are right. These 3 aldermen is the reason Lumberton will never move forward. Why not vote Elsie in? They are just prolonging everything I believe so Rick can come back and be chief. But look how many times he has left L'ton and come back. Elsie has been here through it all. Elsie has all her certifications. I can't wait to vote out these 3.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousMay 3, 2012 at 6:01 PM

    well well once again the thtee ass clowns think they are the great ones for lumberton well one on disabilate one don't pay his bills or have insurance for hauling dead people and other who knows

    ReplyDelete

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