Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Okolona council gives employee ultimatum on "stolen" money

Okolona's City Council held a special meeting on Wednesday, April 16 to discuss personnel matters pertaining to the former city administration and certain city employees still on the payroll.

The meeting was mainly held to discuss checks Okolona Mayor James Paul came across recently when looking through city records.

According to Paul, Okolona Sewer Superintendent, Miles "Moots" McCauley gave a fraudulent police report on April 13 to the Clark County Sheriff's Office for stating the old Okolona School, which was being occupied by Pat Smith until he was told to remove his belongings by the town council, was actually owned by the LOVE council and not the City of Okolona.

Paul said the deeds clearly show the property being owned by the city.

McCauley apparently notified the sheriff's office, Willis Lee of Okolona was removing items from inside the school building.

However, Paul informed the council during the meeting, Lee had not taken anything from inside of the building as he had no key in his possession in order to do so.

According to Paul, Lee was hired by the city to clean up around the structure. Paul told council members the trailer Lee used on the particular day McCauley gave the false report, was parked outside of the city hall and the items obtained could be viewed. However, the trailer only contained and few barrels and some scraps.

The checks found by Paul during his search of town records were written to McCauley in March of 2002 by his daughter, who was city recorder/treasurer until her recent resignation. The checks were written on March 13 and March 31 out of three different city accounts.

After public discussion the matter, council member Hezzy Barton and new member Brenda Piggee, made motions to further discuss McCauley in executive session.

When the council returned they had voted to order McCauley to immediately pay restitution to the city for the second paycheck in the amount of $900 and resign from his city position.

The council further decided if McCauley did not choose to do as asked within one week's time, he would be fired and charged with theft.

Paul told the council and citizens on hand, McCauley had taken it upon himself to call the sheriff's office on a man Paul had hired to clean up the school grounds. McCauley also told the S.O. the grounds were owned by the LOVE council. McCauley also stated that he and Avery Smith had the property leased.

McCauley said Willis was taking stuff out of the building, however, Willis did not have a key nor did Paul until the day of the meeting on April 16 and that was because Paul had the locks changed to the building.

Paul further said, he had possession of the only two keys and anyone wanting to enter the school building would now have to come to him first and be given a key from the safe in city hall.

Paul said anyone caught breaking into the building would be prosecuted.

Arkadelphia attorney Ed McCorkle wrote a letter to Paul on April 14 stating he had been told the Okolona School building was owned by the LOVE council and they would like to enter the building to remove their stuff in order to hold their annual trail ride.

Paul then gave proof to the council the building was owned by the city. On April 5, 1989 the LOVE council had agreed with the city to resign all rights to the buildings and the city would remain in full ownership. The resolution was signed by then Okolona mayor Millard McCauley.

Paul said he had told the LOVE council he had denied the trail ride permission to use the land or had offered to charge them $500 for the community center.

However, Paul said he offered RV hookups at $5 per day and the community center could be used for $50 per day to someone local.

Councilman Leah Rhodes asked Paul what property the LOVE council was seeking back from the city.

Paul replied by quoting an inventory list that included half boxes of crackers, garbage bags and some furniture.

The council agreed the items did not belong to the city. Rhodes suggested the items be auctioned off due to the 60-day removal period that had already expired.

Barton suggested the LOVE council come to one of the city council meetings and accuse them of wrongdoing to the council face. He then expressed his support for the trail ride.

Paul told the council and guests he was tired of the "innuendo these people are putting out."

Paul was referring to the former official who are part of the LOVE council.

He told of several items missing from the city hall and the poor bookkeeping done by the former administration.

Benny Pollins, a resident of Okolona, made mention of the supposed $1,200 water bill former city recorder/treasurer Kim McKay may still not have paid.

Pollins told the council to cut her water off just as they would anyone else owing that much money.

Paul said, "What does it take, President Bush's army to come and get them out of that building and make them act right? If anything is missing, I won't call no names, but I wouldn't doubt them McCauley's got it."

The council finally decided to charge Smith $25 a day until he removed his belongings from the school. However, until the items are removed they will be placed in the back corner of the building.