I wasn't going to give a review of the board meeting because I was peeved at the fact that this board is one month from the anniversay of their election and they still have not masted the ability to conduct a board meeting effectively. But after going to the clerk's office yesterday, I decided to go ahead and post my reviews of the board meeting. First and foremost, I would like to give kudos to Merlene Walls, city clerk. She is literally and figuratively, cleaning up city hall. Have you been in that office lately, the office was actually sparkling. Many have said I am too critical, but when I saw the cleanliness of that office, I was throughly impressed. The water department is the first thing people see when they come to city hall, and the manner in which that office is arranged is representative of the city. Now, I know she's not alone in all the work to clean up our city. There's a guy that's working in the office, I apologize for not knowing his name, but he was very friendly and professional. Also, the new deputy clerk, Melissa Bazor, who was hired at Tuesday's board meeting, was very friendly as well. During the board meeting, it was noted how there's been individuals that have threatened the current city clerk because of their water bills and Mrs. Walls said she understood their frustration, but threating someone regarding an error that was not their fault, is not acceptable. It's amazing how things have changed, there was a time, during the short reign of Hobson, that citizens who dared to question the clerk, even if they were in the wrong, were arrested and/or threatened with being subdued with a taser. Now, we have a clerk that is taking on the brunt of the blame for things that took place long before she took office, and she's not willing to press charges against those that are threating her. However, those coming to city hall should be aware, if any of this disruptive, offensive behavior is witnessed my any member of the Lumberton Police Department, the person will be arrested. FYI.
Before the board meeting started, I was impressed again by Merlene Wall's ability to think outside the box. For years, there has been the issue of not having enough agendas. The clerk's office stated they were trying to conserve paper usage. At this board meeting, there were plenty of agendas, and Merlene utilized the front and back pages, to help conserve paper. What a novel idea. Again, kudos to Merlene Wall for always looking for better ways to serve the City of Lumberton instead of going by the mantra, this is the way we always did things.
The meeting was preceeded by a public hearing for the Multi-Jurisdictional Hazardous Mitigaion Plan. The board heard from the citizens and there were not objections. Once the board meeting was held, the board voted to approve the plan. The first item on the agenda was to discuss the noise ordinance, sagging pants ordinance and dog ordinance. According to Bobby Gibson, Timothy Johnson wanted the matter placed on the agenda first, but Tim was fashionably late. It seems that Timothy Johnson is the one pushing for the passage of the sagging pants ordinance. Well, if Mr. Johnson was more focused on the finances of the city as much as he's focused on the exposed underwear of young men, he probably would have noticed that there's over $100,000 in water bills listed on the inactive list. (Yes, that was a read) Somehow, there's a lot of people on the inactive list that also have an active water bill account. Now, how did this happen. I guess it was another glitch in the system. A glitch that has left a lot of unpaid water bills. So, I guess my speculation about the friends and family water bill plans wasn't as far fetched as people thought. There's pages and pages of people listed on this list and according to Mayor Holder, there's only 10 or more people on the inactive list that are deceased. So, there's a lot of people with unpaid water bills and somehow, they were able to open another account without paying their previous bills. Interesting.
The department heads gave their reports. Personally, I feel the department heads should stand in the front so the audience as well as the board could hear what's being said. Also, there was a report in the increase of our fire rating, and that could result in lower insurance prices. Also, it was noted that the "road blocks" are actually safety inspection check point. I think they're the same thing, but you say tomato, I say tomatoe. A lot of the issues that were being voted on, Bobby Gibson did not want take part in, he made a point to say that his vote against certain issues was not personal, he just felt they should have held of the vote until after the election. I must say, I concure. Aside for the essential issues, the vote to hire and other issues could have waited until after the election. For instance, I would love to have the noise ordinance in place, but the board has waited too late to try to implement new ordinances. This is a matter that should be taken up after the election. I'm still on the fence regarding the sagging pants ordinace because I already know that it targets a certain demographic. However, if those that effected by this ordiance do not stand up and voice their opposition to this proposed ordinace, then it's more than likely, going to pass.
At the board meeting, the elected officials were seemingly walking on eggshells. It seems that they were being extra careful not to offend anyone. I don't see the point of trying to change who you've been this late in the game. This board took the baton to this race four years ago and now 30 minutes before then end of the game, they realize they are still running in place. Over the years, they have shown us who they are and I for one, believe them. We are gearing up for the election and soon the residents of Lumberton will head to the polls once again. This election will determine if the City of Lumberton is ready to move forward or if they are satisfied with remaining stagnant. Only time will tell. I hope you enjoy this Mother's Day weekend. And remember to govern yourselves accordingly and I will do the same.
I wasn't going to give a review of the board meeting because I was peeved at the fact that this board is one month from the anniversay of their election and they still have not masted the ability to conduct a board meeting effectively. But after going to the clerk's office yesterday, I decided to go ahead and post my reviews of the board meeting. First and foremost, I would like to give kudos to Merlene Walls, city clerk. She is literally and figuratively, cleaning up city hall. Have you been in that office lately, the office was actually sparkling. Many have said I am too critical, but when I saw the cleanliness of that office, I was throughly impressed. The water department is the first thing people see when they come to city hall, and the manner in which that office is arranged is representative of the city. Now, I know she's not alone in all the work to clean up our city. There's a guy that's working in the office, I apologize for not knowing his name, but he was very friendly and professional. Also, the new deputy clerk, Melissa Bazor, who was hired at Tuesday's board meeting, was very friendly as well. During the board meeting, it was noted how there's been individuals that have threatened the current city clerk because of their water bills and Mrs. Walls said she understood their frustration, but threating someone regarding an error that was not their fault, is not acceptable. It's amazing how things have changed, there was a time, during the short reign of Hobson, that citizens who dared to question the clerk, even if they were in the wrong, were arrested and/or threatened with being subdued with a taser. Now, we have a clerk that is taking on the brunt of the blame for things that took place long before she took office, and she's not willing to press charges against those that are threating her. However, those coming to city hall should be aware, if any of this disruptive, offensive behavior is witnessed my any member of the Lumberton Police Department, the person will be arrested. FYI.
Before the board meeting started, I was impressed again by Merlene Wall's ability to think outside the box. For years, there has been the issue of not having enough agendas. The clerk's office stated they were trying to conserve paper usage. At this board meeting, there were plenty of agendas, and Merlene utilized the front and back pages, to help conserve paper. What a novel idea. Again, kudos to Merlene Wall for always looking for better ways to serve the City of Lumberton instead of going by the mantra, this is the way we always did things.
The meeting was preceeded by a public hearing for the Multi-Jurisdictional Hazardous Mitigaion Plan. The board heard from the citizens and there were not objections. Once the board meeting was held, the board voted to approve the plan. The first item on the agenda was to discuss the noise ordinance, sagging pants ordinance and dog ordinance. According to Bobby Gibson, Timothy Johnson wanted the matter placed on the agenda first, but Tim was fashionably late. It seems that Timothy Johnson is the one pushing for the passage of the sagging pants ordinance. Well, if Mr. Johnson was more focused on the finances of the city as much as he's focused on the exposed underwear of young men, he probably would have noticed that there's over $100,000 in water bills listed on the inactive list. (Yes, that was a read) Somehow, there's a lot of people on the inactive list that also have an active water bill account. Now, how did this happen. I guess it was another glitch in the system. A glitch that has left a lot of unpaid water bills. So, I guess my speculation about the friends and family water bill plans wasn't as far fetched as people thought. There's pages and pages of people listed on this list and according to Mayor Holder, there's only 10 or more people on the inactive list that are deceased. So, there's a lot of people with unpaid water bills and somehow, they were able to open another account without paying their previous bills. Interesting.
The department heads gave their reports. Personally, I feel the department heads should stand in the front so the audience as well as the board could hear what's being said. Also, there was a report in the increase of our fire rating, and that could result in lower insurance prices. Also, it was noted that the "road blocks" are actually safety inspection check point. I think they're the same thing, but you say tomato, I say tomatoe. A lot of the issues that were being voted on, Bobby Gibson did not want take part in, he made a point to say that his vote against certain issues was not personal, he just felt they should have held of the vote until after the election. I must say, I concure. Aside for the essential issues, the vote to hire and other issues could have waited until after the election. For instance, I would love to have the noise ordinance in place, but the board has waited too late to try to implement new ordinances. This is a matter that should be taken up after the election. I'm still on the fence regarding the sagging pants ordinace because I already know that it targets a certain demographic. However, if those that effected by this ordiance do not stand up and voice their opposition to this proposed ordinace, then it's more than likely, going to pass.
At the board meeting, the elected officials were seemingly walking on eggshells. It seems that they were being extra careful not to offend anyone. I don't see the point of trying to change who you've been this late in the game. This board took the baton to this race four years ago and now 30 minutes before then end of the game, they realize they are still running in place. Over the years, they have shown us who they are and I for one, believe them. We are gearing up for the election and soon the residents of Lumberton will head to the polls once again. This election will determine if the City of Lumberton is ready to move forward or if they are satisfied with remaining stagnant. Only time will tell. I hope you enjoy this Mother's Day weekend. And remember to govern yourselves accordingly and I will do the same.
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