Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Okolona meeting anything but sweet

Short and not so sweet is the best way to describe the recent town meeting in Okolona.

The meeting began with the reading of last month's meeting minutes.

The minutes read the meeting was not adjourned due to the fact there were only two council members left at the meeting.

At the August meeting, "Cooter" McCauley left the meeting claiming she did not have to sit and listen to anymore of Bennie Pollins's or James Paul's accusations.

Shortly afterward councilmember Chris McKay left the meeting. Thus leaving Mayor Joy McElhannon and two council members Sue Muldrew and Hezzie Barton.

The meeting could have been adjourned if McElhannon would have finished listening to what Paul had to say. In a situation where two members are left the mayor can act as a tiebreaker and go ahead and adjourn the meeting once the motion is made.

However, McElhannon left the meeting and it was never adjourned.

The minutes were approved and business continued.

At lasts month's meeting water and sewer clerk, Iris Shepherd, was hired. Shepherd does not live within the city limits of Okolona which means she cannot act as the City's treasurer and clerk.

McElhannon said, "We need to hire someone to fill this position. The city cannot pay any of it's bills until one is hired. Do any of you have any recommendations?"

No one on the council had a suggestion. Therefore McElhannon decided to wait until the October meeting to see if anyone has a recommendation.

With no other business the meeting was properly adjourned as James Paul asked to be recognized.

McElhannon said, "No you may not be recognized this meeting is adjourned."

Paul then asked if he could make copies of the minutes from last month's meeting.

McElhannon told him, "No you cannot."

Paul pointed out to the mayor she had given him the right to make copies at a prior meeting and he had the statement on tape.

"I don't care what you have on tape I am not letting make the copies," said McElhannon.

As citizens began to clear the building, Bennie Pollins entered asking the mayor why she had denied James Paul the right to address the council.

Pollins said, "Mr. Paul had every right to address this council. He sent you a letter, made a phone call and sent you a certified letter requesting that he be recognized at this meeting."

"I don't care he wasn't speaking," said McElahannon.

Several words were exchanged between Pollins, McElhannon and Susan Kennison.

The term horses a@$ was used by all three frequently before Kennison announced she did not have to listen to Pollin's anymore; however, in her statement Kennison did not refer to Pollins by his name but by a racial slur which was heard by the Clark County Sheriff's Deputy on hand and was recorded on videotape.

Kennison was lead outside where she left shortly afterwards.