Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Questions go unanswered

Okolona's town council meeting was no different than any of the other meetings held recently.

Several Okolona citizens gathered at the community building in hopes of getting answers to questions for the Mayor Joy McElhannon. However, this was not the case.

The meeting started at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, February 6, with McElhannon saying Kim McKay, the city's recorder/treasurer, would be late, but she would be there to read the minutes from the last meeting. However, McKay never showed and the minutes were not read nor were they approved.

McElhannon then asked if there was any new business. Bennie Pollins, an Okolona citizen, stood and asked to address the council. McElhannon told him he could.

Pollins was questioning the mayor as to when someone might get out to his property to fix it from when the water and sewer lines were installed.

This question was asked at the last council meeting on January 2. The mayor appeared to be agitated at the meeting, and told Pollins the property would be repaired when the county has time.

As most citizens would be, Pollins was dissatisfied with the answer and asked the mayor the question again at Wednesday night's meeting. McElhannon then told him, she did not have an answer for him.

She then asked if he had another question, in which he did. Pollins wanted to know how come the mayor had told the council there was no sewage leak in Okolona, yet sewage is running out onto the Railroad Street and in a lady's yard? Pollins then asked, "Are you going to answer my question?"

McElhannon said, "No I am not, ask another.

Pollins then asked, "How many of the town fire trucks are running. McElhannon paused for about 30 seconds before answering, "Four are running."

However, several town members disagree with this number and believe that only one truck is actually running at this time.

However, they feel more trucks would run if the mayor had not boycotted the local store and refuses to fill the trucks with fuel.

If in fact only one truck is running, the truck must stay within the city limits. This means, anyone living outside of city limits, although paying fire dues, cannot receive fire protection.

McElhannon quickly proceeded with the meeting by asking Pollins for another question.

Pollins said, "Are you going to answer any of my questions?"

McElhannon said, "No I will not. Next question."

Pollins said, "When do you plan on fixing my property?"

McElhannon said, "Next question." This went on for about four minutes with the mayor finally answering with, "Your property will be fixed when you fix it yourself. Next question?"

During this time the mayor was busy playing with her camera as she took a picture of the crowd on hand. Apparently she has decided to overlook an ordinance of no cameras in the meetings.

Pollins sat down with no questions answered as Betty Paul stood up and asked to address the council.

Paul had a list made up of several questions. Number one being, "Is the old school grounds and buildings owned by the Town of Okolona?" Number two, "Is the community center available to the general public?" Number three, "Is there a fee for use of the community center? If so, what is the amount?" Number four, "Who is in charge of renting the center, and who does the council pay rent to?" Number five, "Are all articles located in the community center owned by the town of Okolona?" Number six, "Is there an inventory on these items?" Number seven, "Does the town of Okolona pay electrical, water and maintenance on these buildings?" Number eight, "Where did the funds for installing showers and RV hook ups on the community center come from?" and Number nine, "Does the LOVE council pay for use of the community center" If not, what is the basis for not paying?"

The mayor had no answer for any of the questions.

Paul then asked if the mayor would answer any questions at all and she said, "Yes." Paul then asked her when she planned to resign. The mayor then made a motion to adjourn the meeting.