Except for a couple of brief confrontations between opposing factions regarding actions of the board of directors of the Goodman Area Fire District, Tuesday night's meeting was held in accordance with board chairman Jim Morgan's request that the meeting be held with "a little bit of decorum."
Morgan said the board's previous meeting "kind of got out of hand. That was my fault; everybody's fault. We are going to address the situation tonight."
The situation Morgan was referring to began with questions to the board by Vicki Fields regarding expenditures. The queries eventually led to the removal of one fire personnel, the board requesting the chief step down and the resignation of the former chairman of the board.
Morgan's first action Tuesday night drew an immediate protest from DeAun Richmond, a former member of the fire department who was dismissed during a closed session at the board's March meeting. Richmond had been tasked by Marshall Long, former board chairman who resigned at the March meeting, to provide answers and documentation to questions posed by Fields regarding purchases made on E-Bay and through a Pay Pal account.
Morgan said that one person had came forward asking about the vacancy on the board created by Long's resignation. He said he would like to appoint Tammy Hartman to the board. Richmond said she objected because the vacancy was not posted or advertised in the newspaper.
Board member Bud Gilmore then read state statutes and board policy regarding the filling of a vacancy on a board of directors and Hartman was seated.
Richmond commented that Hartman would be a "puppet," to which Hartman took offense. Richmond then apologized for the comment.
The purchases questioned by Fields were again at the forefront of the dispute. Richmond presented the board with a Freedom of Information Act request for the board to provide bills that had been itemized as miscellaneous on financial reports she was given when she was researching Fields questions to the board.
Morgan said the original bills are presented each month to board members in "pay packets" in order for approval of payment. He said those packets are then filed. He said he thought Richmond had access to them when she was researching Fields' original request.
Morgan said it would take some time to get the copies of the bills made and it would be at Richmond's expense. She told Morgan the board has three days, according to the law.
Gilmore said the law states the board has three days to respond and the board's response is, it is going to take some time to get copies made.
It was agreed that Violet Mahan, board secretary/treasurer, and Richmond would arrange to meet in order for Richmond to go over the bills.
Fields questioned the board over fire department equipment stored on Morgan's property, board training, the connection of a heater at the district's new station and other fire department workings.
Regarding the board training, Gilmore again read from state laws that any board member who does attend training within 12 months of being named to the board, "shall not be compensated until after the training is done."
Gilmore said since none of the board members are compensated, the issue is moot. But the board agreed they would still like to schedule training regardless of the fact they are not required.
Longtime resident Loren Garren said the whole issue was the "worst deal I have ever seen. You need to get off of these people and let them do their jobs."
Garren also said he was so mad when he read some statements made by Fields, that someone "needed a whipping."
Garren was on his way out when he made some off-color comments and was then asked to move along by Morgan.
The issue of Jerry Richmond's role with the fire department was addressed at the close of the meeting. Richmond, who has been chief for over 30 years, was asked to resign as chief, but has not notified the board of his decision. The board asked him to stay on the fire department, but not as chief.
Morgan said for the time being, the board would leave the situation as it is, with the board awaiting a decision from Richmond, who remains chief at this time.
The board's next meeting will be a special meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 22, and the regular May meeting will be held at 7 p.m. May 13. Both meetings will be held at the Senior Citizens building across from Goodman Elementary School.
General News on 04/10/2014