Vetoes and shoving occur at Graham Council meeting

Even though Mayor Crosby was present at the meeting, Mayor Pro Tem Susan Meeks called the meeting to order and conducted the meeting for the council. The first contentious item between members of the council and the mayor was the hiring of a city attorney. Councilman John Fogarty made motion to hire Nathan Deaton, of Hazlehurst. Councilman Jessie Conaway seconded the motion. Meeks called for a vote and the motion appeared to carry with Fogarty, Conaway and Lee Bass voting in favor of the motion and Meeks opposed. However, Meeks informed the council that Mayor Crosby could exercise his right to veto the action, which he followed through with vetoing the action. Council members questioned the move citing that it was their understanding, according to the city’s charter, that the mayor could only vote in the case of a tie vote of the council. Meeks stated that the mayor has three options at anytime during a vote, including to vote in favor, oppose or veto. Meeks again called for a motion, second and vote on the matter and again the vote included the same three council members voting in favor and Meeks opposed. Again, the mayor vetoed.

The next item that had the same outcome dealt with cellular telephone usage by city employees. Bass made a motion to turn off all cellular phones that are used by the city and Conaway seconded the motion. Bass, Conaway and Fogarty voted in favor and Meeks opposed. The mayor vetoed the motion. The council voted again with the same results and the mayor vetoed again. Meeks stated that she felt that the city should continue to pay for the mayor’s cellular phone due to emergency situations.

The third item concerned the selection of the Mayor Pro Tem for 2012. A motion was made by Conaway to elect John Fogarty as the Mayor Pro Tem. Bass seconded the motion. The vote was 3-1 in favor of the appointment with Meeks opposing. Crosby vetoed. This prompted another vote by the council with the same outcome. At this point during the meeting a citizen questioned why the majority vote of the council did not carry. Meeks again explained that the mayor has the right to veto. The citizen stated that the city’s charter doesn’t state that he (Crosby) has that right. This prompted an argument and shoving match between the citizen and another citizen present at the meeting. Meeks asked the two men to leave the council room.

Other business

The council approved the minutes from the last meeting held in October 2011.

The finance report for Jan. was approved unanimously after council members asked a number of questions about the report.

Meeks welcomed new council member Jessie Conaway and returning council member John Fogarty.

The council discussed the city’s water system at length. The council decided to send letters to citizens, that are behind on payments to the city for water usage, informing citizens that they have 30 days to make payment on past due accounts or face disconnection of service. A motion was also made and passed that requires all city council members to pay for city water beginning Feb. 1. A family member of the late former mayor, Buddy Miller, informed the council that she should not have to pay for water service since her family has continued to pay the county ad valorem taxes on City of Graham property that was partially sold and donated to the city. The council stated they would look into the matter and Bass recommended that the city attorney look into this matter.

The council discussed a Chevrolet pickup that belongs to the city but is not at the city. Meeks stated that she had found out, prior to the meeting, that the truck has been in storage at Jerome’s Body Shop at no charge to the city. Members of the council requested that the truck be brought back and stored at the city’s storage facility. Discussion ensued about the condition of the truck and it was reported that the cab of the truck was crushed in and had the appearance that a tree had fallen on the truck. It was then stated that the mayor’s son had driven the truck and had an accident in the truck. The mayor’s family stated that they would pay for the truck and the council discussed the matter further. Bass questioned why an incident/accident report had not been made and also why this had not been filed on the city’s insurance. The council tabled a decision on the matter.

Citizen Tony Roberts made a request to receive water from the City of Graham. The council stated they would like to look into the matter further to find out the cost associated with the request. It was noted to Roberts that he could purchase water from the city at city hall/fire department at a rate of $10.00 per 1,000 gallons. Roberts explained that his shallow well had dried up and he and his family were having to hall water to their house from a local church.

The council voted to enter into a closed-door session for personnel purposes. No action was taken following the session.