January 24, 2016 - In an effort to further eliminate the presence of Debra Pate Smith from the inner workings of the city of Timpson, the council approved her removal as treasurer of the Economic Development Corporation (EDC).
Several individuals, including members of the EDC, requested to be on the agenda to speak to the council and explain why Smith should remain on the committee. Although their words weighed heavily in the direction of keeping Smith, the majority of the council was not swayed, and Ronnie Wolfe, Mayor Pro Tem, even threatened to have one of the speakers on the agenda removed for attempting to speak his mind. Demonstrating an apparent preference of the iron fist over the olive branch when it comes to the opinion of Timpson citizens.
Smith was the first to speak during the citizens input portion of the meeting. She stated she has worked with the Timpson Economic Development Board since 2011, and since then she has served as the president and the treasurer. She explained the 4B EDC tax which was voted into effect by the citizens of Timpson requires a seven person board, which governs the projects, meetings and operations of the EDC.
All of the board decisions must be approved by the city council, and this means no member of the board has any autonomous power separate of the council and only the council can approve their actions.
"The council approved me as the registered agent with the Secretary of State's office and named me as one of the incorporators along with Ronnie Wolfe and Yvonne Ramsey at the September 20, 2011 council meeting. The motion to do so was actually introduced by councilman Wolfe and passed unanimously," said Smith.
According to Smith, since its inception the 4B tax has raised $250,000 for the economic improvement of Timpson through projects that are allowed by the Texas Comptroller's office which sets the scope and limitations of such funds.
"The account currently has over $217,000 on deposit at Austin Bank. The next meeting of the board is scheduled for February at which time Mike Walker with Goodwin-Lassiter is scheduled to outline the estimated cost for repairing Todd Street, that's adjacent to Texas State Bank and Bremond Street, adjacent to Rancho Grande," said Smith.
According to Smith, if approved by the city council, the project will be the second major project under the 4B Economic Development Tax provisions, and other smaller projects have been completed in the past, including sidewalk repairs at Taylor Funeral Home and the downtown plaza front street.
"If removed from this board, I will step down, but I will do so in protest of the way the current majority of the council is wielding its democratic power. To vote to do something that has no possible gain for the city and to only show one's personal power is truly only a way to be viewed as a personal, can only be viewed as a personal vendetta. To coin Ronnie Wolfe's earlier quote, 'Is truly a stroke of ignorance.'"
Vernett Richardson, Timpson EDC President, addressed the council during citizens input regarding the removal of Smith from the EDC board. He spoke of his time serving in the military and how the decisions of authorities directly affected himself and others serving during that time.
Richardson stated a decision whether to remove Debra Smith from the EDC was going to be made, and each time a decision by an authority figure was made while he was in the military training dictated the decision be analyzed as Is that decision legal? Is that decision moral? Is that decision ethical?
Richardson did not know there is any legal reason she could not be removed. Although he did not think it immoral to remove her, he was sure he could find a way to debate that issue.
"Is it ethical? From a small child my parents taught me ethics. Sometimes you just have to do the right thing, because the right thing is just the right thing to do," said Richardson. "Is removing Debra Smith from the Timpson [EDC] Board of Directors the right thing to do? I look around, I see streets repaired. I look around, I see sidewalks. I see a lot of things moving this city forward. Not all of it, but some of it is coming from that [EDC] Board. As the president, I have seen no illegal, immoral, or unethical things coming from Debra Smith. It's only been positive input, she's made her motives clear, she's made her motives transparent, she wants this city to grow."
Richardson finished by stating he doesn't think removing Smith from the board is the right thing to do.
Also speaking during citizens input was Stacy Pledger, who has sat on the EDC board since its inception, "I've heard the words personal vendetta used numerous amount of times. Now Mr. Wolfe, I can tell you wholeheartedly, between the actions of the council and your personal actions over the last several months, it's made crystal clear that's the only agenda. I don't think there's anything on the record, or on the books that shows any proof of why we should even consider voting Miss Debra off the [EDC] Committee. If there are, I'd like them to be talked about now, other than a personal vendetta."
Municipal Court report for November 2015: For the month of November, 136 citations issued, 163 violations, 1 to juvenile and 7 to minors. Total amount reported $14, 053.04 the City's portion a 55% estimate of $7,729.17. December 2015: There were 102 citations issued, 132 violations, 0 to juveniles and 8 to minors. Total amount reported $7,478.70 the City’s portion a 55% estimate of $4,113.29. |
Pledger stated he feels Timpson is a business and with that being the case, the city needs an increase of revenue, "You can't cut people off the bottom line and expect progress to take place." Pledger said he is tired of having people "tap" him on the shoulder everywhere he goes and ask "what in the world is going on with Ronnie Wolfe, and your city council?"
Because of the initiative of Smith, Pledger said a lot has been accomplished and because of that many people do not understand the agenda of Wolfe. He reiterated revenue is important and should come before even considering reducing numbers in a department. Pledger also believes it to be a mistake not to hire a collection company to collect outstanding fee and fines for the city as that is revenue.
Wolfe responded to Pledger's statement, "The United States is $18 trillion in debt, you know why their in debt Mr. Pledger? They're in debt, because they're spending more money than they're taking in. $18 trillion in debt, you're in the finance business. There's two ways you can balance a budget, true you could increase revenue, but you can decrease spending to balance a budget also."
Although Pledger barely got a word out in response to Wolfe, it was stated by Wolfe, "You don't get a rebuttal, I will have you removed from this room according to state law." Pledger said, "You don't have to, I'm leaving." Wolfe said, "Bye, go."
Although Wolfe was quick to react in threatening Pledger with removal, in reference to responding to public comment according to Texas Government Code Ann. 551.042, a governmental body may respond to inquiry about subject not on posted notice by stating factual information, reciting existing policy or by placing subject of inquiry on agenda of future meeting.
Wolfe stated, since Smith resigned as mayor, he wanted her off the board of directors of the EDC as well, which answers directly to the council. Yvonne Ramsey, Council member, stated she does't feel that way as Smith has worked well and put the EDC together with the help of its members. Kyle Allen, Council member, stated he didn't feel it would be prudent to remove Smith at this time as she is the treasurer and a budget filing will have to be done in February. No ethical issues were apparent to him in regards to her no longer being the mayor.
"I think that removing her from the board would simply be just a knife in the side, I mean there's nothing to it. It would just be, just more or less, just one more little insult that could be thrown at her," said Allen.
Smith inquired if she could ask a question, to which Wolfe offered, "No, not on the agenda." Smith then protested she was a part of the "Citizens Input" portion of the meeting, to which Wolfe responded he knew that and she had spoken. Kyle continued his inquiry of Wolfe as to his reasoning for wanting her off the EDC board to which Wolfe replied he had no comment. Allen then asked council members Janell Baker and George Grace if they had any opinion and Baker responded, "No."
Teri Alexander, Timpson resident, exclaimed from the audience, "Are y'all so full of hate for Debra?" Ronnie Wolfe responded, "Ma'am you're out of order," and Alexander responded, I don't care, I'll walk out." As Alexander continued her attempts to share her mind, Wolfe instructed her she was out of order and he would have her removed.
Before being told he was out of order as well, and having the police department indicate he was to leave the meeting room, Joworski Chimney remarked from the audience to Wolfe, "So that means, since you quit teaching in Timpson, we don't want you living in Timpson, so we can kick you out of Timpson?" Wolfe then added, "You will in May, if I run." Allen then indicated for Wolfe, "You can't respond to what they (the audience) say."
A motion was made by Grace to remove Smith from the board, seconded by Baker. When put to a vote, Grace and Baker were in favor and Allen and Ramsey were against her removal. Wolfe then broke the tie in favor of Smith's removal and the motion carried.
Before the motion was completed, Ramsey stated, "I just don't understand how in the world y'all think you own this town, you three people up here, and that nobody has a right to say anything and will not answer them, that is ridiculous!"
Paul Smith, Timpson Chamber President, and husband to Smith, asked the council who was going to handle the reports for the EDC, as Debra Smith has been handling that. He asked if the city secretary was going to be responsible for that at no pay.
"Anybody that wants to sign a petition to have these three removed so they cannot run again for the next two years, meet me outside," said Angela Bradford, former owner of the Frontier Cafe, to the audience.
Special recognition was given to Jake Metcalf on his 2nd year anniversary with the Timpson Police Department. Mrs. Charlotte Broadway was also recognized for 32 years of continuous service as of February 1, 2016. Broadway started in 1984 as the Utility Billing Clerk for the City of Timpson and maintains the records for all residential and commercial utility accounts in the City. The City Council thanked Broadway for her years of service and dedication to the Timpson community.
The meeting adjourned at 6:15pm.
Police Department report for November: 27 agency assists, 11 motorist assists, 5 escorts, 7 extra patrols, 6 calls for loose livestock, 1 warrant, 1 theft, 8 disturbances, 3 suspicious person calls, 2 calls suspicious vehicles, 3 reckless driver calls, 2 crash investigations, 1 evading arrest, 9 investigations, 3 welfare checks, 3 assaults, 1 burglary of a habitation, 1 harassment case, 2 possession of marijuana. Total calls for service - 96 Total Arrests - 2 December: 29 agency assists, 16 motorist assists, 2 escorts, 11 extra patrol requests, 7 calls for loose livestock, 1 warrant, 1 theft, 12 disturbances, 1 suspicious person, 5 suspicious vehicle calls, 6 reckless driver calls, 3 crash investigations, 2 cases criminal mischief, 14 investigations, 6 welfare checks, 1 assault, 1 burglary of a habitation, 1 burglary of a building, 1 possession of a controlled substance, 1 unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. Total calls for service - 121 Total Arrests - 5 |
Approved items on the agenda:
1. Consent Agenda Items
A. Consider approval of the minutes of the regular meeting held on November 17, 2015
B. Consider approval of the minutes of the special meetings held on December 29, 2015 January 4th and 12th, 2016
C. Consider approval of Financial Statements for the month of November and December 2015
D. Consider approval of Accounts Payable – Paid bills for November, 2015
E. Consider approval of Accounts Payable – Unpaid bills for December, 2015
F. Consider approving the Old Spanish Trail Ride to camp at SoSo Park on February 20th, 2016. Barbara Cook will be in attendance if there are any questions.
2. Resolution of Authority for all Austin Bank and Texas State Bank accounts removing Mayor Debra Pate Smith from signature cards.
3. Remove Debra Pate Smith from the Timpson Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors.
4. Adjourn
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