The meeting was opened with a prayer by Alderman Tommy Dukes. There was a full house; it seems the interest in the city meetings has increased. All department heads were in attendance. The city attorney, Lindsey Carter and municipal judge, Leonard Pittman, were also in attendance. Mr. Ben Prestridge of Mississippi Power addressed the board about the new lighting and the study they’re doing to help increase shopping locally. There was a push to encourage citizens to shop locally. I think the push should be for business owners to offer a variety of products at a reasonable price so citizens would shop locally. A citizen made the remark that we have no choice but to shop in Purvis and Hattiesburg. She said if she need milk in the middle of the night, there’s nowhere in Lumberton to get any because all the stores are closed. Mr. Eugene Underwood addressed the board about starting an exercise program for the Citizens of Lumberton. The board is waiting for a waiver to use a classroom at the 5th Avenue Park for the exercise. When more details are available, I will post the dates of the exercise class. The department heads gave their reports. Chief Cowart reported all was well with the Lumberton Police Department. There was a collective moan from the audience and she then reported that there are some issues that are under investigation but they had to be discussed in executive session.
Mayor Winston used this meeting to give a report to the board and the audience. This seems to be a regular occurrence. His focus this month was volunteerism. Personally, I don’t think this city is going to be able to sustain itself based on volunteers, because people have a tendency to stop once the accolades cease. So, it is my hope that we don’t have to listen to a list of people that are volunteering month after month just to keep them on their post. Winston did suggest that a Citizen of the Month Program be implemented and he also suggested that the LEDC use that list of individuals to select those that would be honored at the LEDC banquet. Winston reported that enough money was collected to treat the terminate infestation at the Lumberton Museum. Mrs. Bogle pulled me aside and thanked me for including a mailing address in the post I made regarding the museum; she reported that several people mailed in donations for the museum repair.
The board voted to adopt their salaries but the salaries were not included in the budget that has been submitted. The salaries of the mayor and aldermen would be added later once a budget amendment is considered. The department heads were all reappointed: Melene Wall, city clerk, Elsie Cowart, police chief, and Ryan Easley, public works director. They all were reappointed with a salary of $31,000/year. The city attorney, municipal judge, prosecuting attorney and defense attorney were also reappointed. The two clerks, Betty Speights and Melissa Bazor were also reappointed. They were reappointed at their present salary. Their salary will be reviewed once the board works on amending the budget. The board had to present the same budget that was presented last year because they did not want to miss the deadline for submitting a budget, but they will meet with each department so they can design a budget for the city.
Once again, there was an issue with paying Alderman Quincy Rogers the money he was owed. Alderman Tommy Dukes questioned “how can they pay one alderman back pay and not pay all the aldermen that served.” This is another reason why I think individuals that run for office should attend meetings before getting elected. This was a heated issue for some time and there was quite a bit of conflict surrounding this matter. When some of the board members gave up their salaries, Alderman Rogers and Mayor Holder said they were not giving up their salaries. Their salaries were included in the budget. The other aldermen were not included. Also, the mayor was paid in accordance to this budget agreement. So, a precedent has been established. They asked to have the city attorney investigate this matter but that’s going to be rather difficult since the minutes outlining what happened are missing. At this point, I was very impressed by Merlene Walls. I was concerned that she would be easily pushed by the boisterous aldermen but she stood her ground and it was at that point I knew she was the right person for the job.
Alderman Crider barked his interpretation of the minutes. Now, this is something I take issue with. Merlene was basing her response on the paperwork she had and that’s the purpose of the minutes, but Crider wanted to give his interpretation of the minutes. JoAnn Ladner left the minute books in order and we know what she did as the city clerk based on the minutes. The same could be said of Leonette Wynn; she spoke through her minutes. As far as I can tell, Stephanie Mullings is the only city clerk that left minutes that needs an interpreter. So my question is, were her minutes written in tongues? Otherwise, I don’t see the need of an interpreter.
There were several water refunds processed and they also have began the process of reconciling the inactive water accounts. There will be a public hearing to pass an ordinance prohibiting loud, disturbing and unnecessary noise within the City of Lumberton (Thank You Jesus) and there will be a public hearing to address the number of animals allowed at one location. Beginning September 9, 2013, the department heads will have a weekly meeting with the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tempore. The board also voted to allow the Dianne Bennett Memorial Breast Cancer Foundation to hold its 3rd Annual Breast Cancer Walk on Saturday, October 19, 2013. The founder of the Dianne Bennett Memorial Breast Cancer Foundation, Rachel Jefferson, is taking orders for this year’s shirts and there’s a variety of colors available this year in honor of Dianne Bennett. This year’s walk will actually be on her birthday. Also, if you’re interested in volunteering to help, Rachel would appreciate any assistance you could provide. During the citizens’ comments, Ursula Adams addressed the board and she is in process of establishing a Youth Program and she would also appreciate any offers of assistance in getting this program established.
The meeting was opened with a prayer by Alderman Tommy Dukes. There was a full house; it seems the interest in the city meetings has increased. All department heads were in attendance. The city attorney, Lindsey Carter and municipal judge, Leonard Pittman, were also in attendance. Mr. Ben Prestridge of Mississippi Power addressed the board about the new lighting and the study they’re doing to help increase shopping locally. There was a push to encourage citizens to shop locally. I think the push should be for business owners to offer a variety of products at a reasonable price so citizens would shop locally. A citizen made the remark that we have no choice but to shop in Purvis and Hattiesburg. She said if she need milk in the middle of the night, there’s nowhere in Lumberton to get any because all the stores are closed. Mr. Eugene Underwood addressed the board about starting an exercise program for the Citizens of Lumberton. The board is waiting for a waiver to use a classroom at the 5th Avenue Park for the exercise. When more details are available, I will post the dates of the exercise class. The department heads gave their reports. Chief Cowart reported all was well with the Lumberton Police Department. There was a collective moan from the audience and she then reported that there are some issues that are under investigation but they had to be discussed in executive session.
Mayor Winston used this meeting to give a report to the board and the audience. This seems to be a regular occurrence. His focus this month was volunteerism. Personally, I don’t think this city is going to be able to sustain itself based on volunteers, because people have a tendency to stop once the accolades cease. So, it is my hope that we don’t have to listen to a list of people that are volunteering month after month just to keep them on their post. Winston did suggest that a Citizen of the Month Program be implemented and he also suggested that the LEDC use that list of individuals to select those that would be honored at the LEDC banquet. Winston reported that enough money was collected to treat the terminate infestation at the Lumberton Museum. Mrs. Bogle pulled me aside and thanked me for including a mailing address in the post I made regarding the museum; she reported that several people mailed in donations for the museum repair.
The board voted to adopt their salaries but the salaries were not included in the budget that has been submitted. The salaries of the mayor and aldermen would be added later once a budget amendment is considered. The department heads were all reappointed: Melene Wall, city clerk, Elsie Cowart, police chief, and Ryan Easley, public works director. They all were reappointed with a salary of $31,000/year. The city attorney, municipal judge, prosecuting attorney and defense attorney were also reappointed. The two clerks, Betty Speights and Melissa Bazor were also reappointed. They were reappointed at their present salary. Their salary will be reviewed once the board works on amending the budget. The board had to present the same budget that was presented last year because they did not want to miss the deadline for submitting a budget, but they will meet with each department so they can design a budget for the city.
Once again, there was an issue with paying Alderman Quincy Rogers the money he was owed. Alderman Tommy Dukes questioned “how can they pay one alderman back pay and not pay all the aldermen that served.” This is another reason why I think individuals that run for office should attend meetings before getting elected. This was a heated issue for some time and there was quite a bit of conflict surrounding this matter. When some of the board members gave up their salaries, Alderman Rogers and Mayor Holder said they were not giving up their salaries. Their salaries were included in the budget. The other aldermen were not included. Also, the mayor was paid in accordance to this budget agreement. So, a precedent has been established. They asked to have the city attorney investigate this matter but that’s going to be rather difficult since the minutes outlining what happened are missing. At this point, I was very impressed by Merlene Walls. I was concerned that she would be easily pushed by the boisterous aldermen but she stood her ground and it was at that point I knew she was the right person for the job.
Alderman Crider barked his interpretation of the minutes. Now, this is something I take issue with. Merlene was basing her response on the paperwork she had and that’s the purpose of the minutes, but Crider wanted to give his interpretation of the minutes. JoAnn Ladner left the minute books in order and we know what she did as the city clerk based on the minutes. The same could be said of Leonette Wynn; she spoke through her minutes. As far as I can tell, Stephanie Mullings is the only city clerk that left minutes that needs an interpreter. So my question is, were her minutes written in tongues? Otherwise, I don’t see the need of an interpreter.
There were several water refunds processed and they also have began the process of reconciling the inactive water accounts. There will be a public hearing to pass an ordinance prohibiting loud, disturbing and unnecessary noise within the City of Lumberton (Thank You Jesus) and there will be a public hearing to address the number of animals allowed at one location. Beginning September 9, 2013, the department heads will have a weekly meeting with the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tempore. The board also voted to allow the Dianne Bennett Memorial Breast Cancer Foundation to hold its 3rd Annual Breast Cancer Walk on Saturday, October 19, 2013. The founder of the Dianne Bennett Memorial Breast Cancer Foundation, Rachel Jefferson, is taking orders for this year’s shirts and there’s a variety of colors available this year in honor of Dianne Bennett. This year’s walk will actually be on her birthday. Also, if you’re interested in volunteering to help, Rachel would appreciate any assistance you could provide. During the citizens’ comments, Ursula Adams addressed the board and she is in process of establishing a Youth Program and she would also appreciate any offers of assistance in getting this program established.
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