August 6, 2015 - Flabbergasted was the state of those attending the Special Called Meeting of the Timpson City Council on Thursday, August 6, 2015. Mayor Debra Smith, council members Yvonne Ramsey and Kyle Allen were in attendance as well as citizens of Timpson and members of the media.
Ray Marshall, a handicapped citizen of Timpson, hurried home from work in Tyler to arrive in time for the meeting only to wait in disappointment due to no quorum. Mr. Marshall was prepared to speak his opinion concerning the proposed reduction in Police Force; however, his voice couldn't be heard due to the absence of three council members: Ronnie Wolfe, Janell Baker, and George Grace who each support the reduction in force.
Three items were on the Special Called Meeting Agenda: 1) consider Reduction in Force of the Police Department from a 5-man department to a 3-man department, 2) adopt the "proposed" budget for the General Fund for the City of Timpson for 2015-2016, and 3) possible amendments to the employee handbook, changes which would be needed contingent to an approved reduced police force. The three items were at the request of the majority of the council and the majority of the council were a no show.
Where were the missing council members? The City Secretary, Leslie Leathers, attempted to contact the missing-in-action with no avail. After calling one of the absent council member's spouse, the phone was answered only to have the line go dead immediately. The very law enforcement whose jobs have hung in the balance were requested to perform welfare checks for Wolfe, Baker, and Grace. It is unknown the outcome of the welfare checks.
Why would elected officials not show up to the very meeting where the item they requested be presented for vote was on the agenda? They had the opportunity to vote for what they felt was best for Timpson; however, they chose not to make it their priority. If Wolfe, Baker, and Grace had justifiable reason for not attending the meeting, why would they not have notified the city secretary or the mayor so the meeting could be rescheduled. Why would they waste the time of the citizens of Timpson, the media, and the council who did attend?
The budget for the City of Timpson has been a near yearlong struggle among the council and mayor. One side argues the police department is costing the city too much money which they feel will leave the city destitute in the future because of the unjustifiable over expenditure. Council Member Ronnie Wolfe has remained the voice of concern demanding a reduction in force.
While on the other side of the conundrum, Mayor Smith has presented the council with a balanced budget which she feels would support the 5-man police department as well as a 4-man police department and has seen open support from Council Member Kyle Allen.
At the last meeting on July 30th which was also a Special Called meeting, Mayor Smith presented the council with a budget reflecting a 4-man police force with a reduction in force of only one. Councilman Wolfe rejected the budget along with the support of Baker and Grace demanding a 3-man police force. The majority of the council was getting their wish, an opportunity to pass a reduction in police force.
Are they alive and well? Why would they not attend? Why the no-show?
What's a no-show? According to Collins English Dictionary, a no-show is a person who fails to take up a reserved seat, place, etc, without having cancelled it. Council members are elected into office and have a reserved seat during all City of Timpson Council meetings.
