Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Council united; does nothing

All members of the Okolona Town Council were present at Wednesday night's meeting.

Members who have not attended a meeting in several months were there. Those members attending were wearing "United We Stand" shirts.

The minutes from last month's meeting were read and approved. Mayor Joy McElhannon said she did not have any old or new business and asked if anyone else had anything.

Council member, Sue Muldrew, asked McElhannon if water rates had gone up.

McElhannon asked why.

Muldrew said a citizen had received a water bill that was higher than usual and couldn't figure out why since they do not live at they residence, they are just hooked to the water in case they do come to the residence, in which they had not.

McElhannon suggested the residence be checked for a leak. Muldrew agreed.

Mayor McElhannon then said, "The Fourth of July is on a Thursday this year. Do we want to meet at another date next month or just not have a meeting?"

Cooter McCauley made a motion to not have a meeting during July. Council member, Chris McKay seconded the motion.

McElhannon proceeded with the meeting by reading a letter she said she had written and sent to a local newspaper in defense of James Paul's statements made at last month's meeting.

McElhannon stated that the material purchased at Wal-Mart and Hancock's Fabrics and paid for out of the fire department fund was for curtains at the old school cafeteria that is used during the Okolona Trail Ride each year.

She also said no checks had been written in the amount of $750 for piano tuning. She did say one had been written for $75 to have the piano in the cafeteria tuned.

McElhannon said, "In response to the accusations of the fire department writing checks to Pat Smith for no reason, I would like to say that Pat has done lots of work at the school and the cafeteria and he does not charge us for anything but his supplies. He has even gone as far as donating some of the supplies and he donated an air conditioner."

McElhannon continued by saying, "The fire department has spent money on the trail ride, but we also cleared over $3,000 by having it. Okolona has the lowest fire dues around. If we did not hold the trail ride then everyone would have to pay more in fire dues."

Benny Pollins had asked to address the council. McElhannon told Pollins, if he still wanted to speak that he had five minutes to do so.

Pollins stood and asked the mayor why there was a limit on his speaking time. "I shouldn't be limited to what I have to say to my town council", said Pollins.

"You have five minutes Mr. Pollins, if you want to waste it then that is fine with me," said McElhannon.

Pollins then said, "I'll start with a question I have been trying to get the answer to for awhile. When are you going to fix our streets?"

McElhannon did not have much to say about Pollins' request.

Pollins then asked, "Do you plan to fix the sewage leak we have over here in the street? The sewage is backing up."

McElhannon said, "The problem has been looked at and taken care of. The problem is in the house itself so we cannot fix it."

Pollins said, "But what about the sewage leak in the street. Moots buried the line and didn't bury it deep enough. It is leaking in the street."

"There is no leak," said McElhanon.

"Yes there is and I will dig it up and prove it. I will pay for it if I have to," said Pollins.

McElhannon then asked, "Why don't you hook up to our water and sewer Mr. Pollins?"

"First of all, why don't you come and fix my property and plant my trees that you were supposed to have done after we got water," Pollins replied.

McElhannon said, "You've been paid."

"I have not. Where is the money to pay me," asked Pollins.

"It is in the Clerks office at the court house. If you want it then go get it," said McElhanon.

"Oh, so the money is there now. Remember it hasn't been there mayor because we have already checked," said Pollins.

"You have a minute and a half left," McElhanon said as she reminded Pollins of the time limit.

"We're not getting our streets fixed are we," asked Pollins.

McElhanon answered, "No, you are not getting anything fixed and your time is up."

Pollins continued to address the council and asked if James Paul, who Pollins considered to be a nice man, was to be investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations. Then why wasn't anybody investigated when a young black man was murdered within the city limits of Okolona about 10 years ago.

McElhannon then asked Clark County Sheriff Deputy, David Turner to please make Pollins sit down.

Turner said, "Ma'am I cannot make him sit down. He is not being disorderly."

Pollins continued to speak with McElhannon again asking Turner to make Pollins have a seat since other townspeople wanted to address the council also.

Turner again told McElhanon he was unable to do so since Pollins was not out of line and was practicing his freedom of speech.

McElhannon then asked James Paul to address the council if he still wanted to do so.

Paul replied, "I can't do that if Benny is still addressing you."

McElhannon then said, "Mr. Pollins please sit down."

After a third request by McElhannon, Turner quietly asked Pollins if he would have a seat. Pollins agreed to do so and McElhannon gave James Paul the same five minute limit to address the council.

Paul began by saying he was pleased to see the council finally approving budgets.

"The general budget looks O.K.", said Paul.

Council member, Susan Kennison then asked Paul if he would speak louder.

Paul said, "Sure I will. Unless you want to move over here by me so you can hear."

Kennison declined Paul's offer.

Paul went over several questions he has been trying to get answers on. He also informed the council and Benny Pollins that if Pollins wanted to he could have a lawsuit against the Town of Okolona for violated Pollins' rights.

Paul explained that a while back the town council decided it would act as the health board and turn off Pollins' water.

McElhannon reminded Paul he only had two minutes left.

Paul said, "Don't interrupt me mayor. You are wasting my time. Add another 30 seconds to my time for Madam Mayor's statement."

Paul continued by saying the Health Board, also know as the Town Council, disconnected Pollins' water because he refused to connect to the city sewer.

McElhannon reminded Paul of his one minute remaining to which he responded by asking the mayor to not interrupt him.

Paul's five minutes ended as he continued to address the council who ignored him and adjourned the meeting.

Cooter McCauley told everyone to clear the building so they could lock it, while Paul continued to speak.

Paul said, "The truth hurts doesn't it."

Kennison, who had asked Paul to speak louder, told Paul as she was leaving the building, "If you would get all of the s@#$ out of you mouth, people could understand what you are saying."

Townspeople gasped at Kennison's language and asked if there was no code of ethics to be used during a town meeting. However, the meeting had already been adjourned.

Paul continued to speak outside after the meeting. Paul said he wanted everyone to work together as a town.

Mack McCauley, Okolona Water Manager, was present outside and talked rationally with Paul about some things that could be done to help the town.

Paul said he wanted to go on record saying, "I am not here to cause confusion or a mess. I just want answers to some simple questions."

Paul also said, "My life is an open book. If these people feel I should be investigated then so be it. I haven't done anything that I am ashamed of, with the exception of back talking my momma."

Paul said he would be happy when his questions are answered and everything is fixed.