Middlesboro resident, Angela Jackson, asked the mayor why he wrote a character letter on behalf of twice-convicted felon Robert L. “Bob” Madon, who was sentenced last Thursday in Federal Court.
But Street Superintendent Leeman Moyers said that he had cleaned it up.
“It was took care of about two weeks ago,” said Moyers. He said that the sand was filled in the boxes this spring.
Council member Ronnie Carter, Lucas’s father, chimed in and said he was there Sunday as well and felt the park “was run down some” and needed more sand in the boxes.
“The parks is not run down, let’s make that point clear,” said Moyers. “The parks is clean and maintained.”
“You need to go out there and listen to some of the people that’s out there some Saturday or Sunday,” responded Ronnie Carter.
Lucas Carter said that the grass and weeds had grown three feet high in some places in the park. But Moyers defended it, saying that the rain prevented his department from mowing frequently.
“I’ll tell you fellas, you all are getting off base a little bit because that’s not your all’s responsibility,” said Moyers.
“Oh yes it is ... it is part of our job,” said Carter. He went on to ask Moyers to explain where the street sweeper was parked and why it wasn’t running.
“I will not answer anything else in this city’s chambers. If you want to ask me something I’ll be in my office or the mayor’s office. But you gentlemen will not come in here and try to run me down on my job.”
The arguing continued but Council Member Gary Mills asked Mayor Ben Hickman to call the meeting to order.
Later, Carter asked that the council hold a meeting to discuss personnel before the next council meeting.
Carter also asked Middlesboro Police Chief Jeff Sharpe why there hadn’t been police reports submitted for the last three months.
“I just got behind on them,” said Sharpe. “I’ve got July sitting on my desk right now. I just didn’t get it in time to get it in on this agenda. I’ll catch up next meeting.”
A citizen at the meeting, who did not identify himself, questioned the council and mayor about their lack of appearance at the water rate hearing held last week.
“Mammaw (Everett Gulley) and Gary Mills were the only two city officials at that meeting. Now that is inconceivable to me,” he said. “ So I’d like to ask an on-the-record question why at least two-thirds of our elected officials were not at that meeting?”
Evelyn Farmer answered first, saying she mistakenly wrote down the hearing for August 19, a week after the hearing.
“I just flat got it wrong,” she said.
Lucas Carter said that the hearing was on church night for many.
Lincks said that he was tied up with a group called Faces of Coal who were visiting Middlesboro.
Council members Doug Hughes, Larry Adkins, and Ronnie Carter, as well as Mayor Ben Hickman, did not respond to the question. Council member C.A. “Buddy” Massengill was absent from the meeting.
Another Middlesboro resident, Angela Jackson, asked the mayor why he wrote a character letter on behalf of twice-convicted felon Robert L. “Bob” Madon, who was sentenced last Thursday in Federal Court. The letter was written on city letterhead and was printed along with many others in Saturday’s edition of the Daily News.
“I want to know if he (Mayor Hickman) did that on his own or with the support of the city commission,” she asked.
“That’s not city business,” replied Mills.
Jackson said that it was an ethics violation for Hickman to write that letter on city letterhead.
Hickman replied, saying that he would contact Jackson anytime he wrote a letter in the future so she could proof it.
“Well, I think you never thought it’d come to light,” Jackson told Hickman. “But you should not have wrote that on city stationary if it was a personal letter. Ethics apparently doesn’t bother you.”
The mayor replied “no.”
Lucas Carter talked about the massive turnout for jobs at Tractor Supply, which opens soon. He said the Office of Employment and Training has 20 jobs available at the store, but is conducting 144 interviews on Tuesday and 144 Wednesday.
“It’s going to be a big help,” said Carter, referring to the new jobs. “It should decrease the unemployment rate in Bell County.”
Council member, and newly hired Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Rob Lincks said this turnout shows that people want to work and the businesses that want to move in here have a willing workforce.
Council member Ronnie Carter echoed the good news for county employment. He said Smithfield Packing, formerly Cumberland Gap Provisions, has hired 160-175 in the past month. Lincks said they were the largest private employer in Bell County and had not ask any government entity for money.
The council approved the following:
• Second reading of the franchise agreement Kentucky Utilities and authorization to advertise bids for the sale of the franchise.
• First readings for city tax rates on personal and rental property. If approved in the second reading, the rate for the personal property tax will remain at 23.2 cents on every $100 of assessed value. The real property tax will remain at 6.9 cents. Those rates are the same as the last fiscal year.
Resolution for Mayor Hickman to authorize agreement with the Department of Local Government for the 2009 Coal Severance Funding. The grant is a two-year grant, but this year’s funds will go only into the 2009-10 fiscal year. Middlesboro’s funding will be dispersed to little league/tee ball for $5,000; Friends of the Shelter for $10,000; Main St. Program for $10,000; and city projects and equipment for $115,000.
• A motion brought forth by Mills to have four parking spaces converted to handicapped spaces in downtown Middlesboro next to Tri-State Sports Medicine.
Stephen Woodward is a Staff Writer for the Daily News. He may be contacted at swoodward@middlesborodailynews.com.
Could the mayor and Moyers make it any clearer as to how they feel about the public? "We're running things - you're nobody" would seem to sum it up. Well, mayor, I hope you can win the next election with smart remarks. Just don't try what the other fellow did. Who would write your character letter?
We have every right to ask questions. Don't have an answer beyond a wise-guy remark? You also don't have my vote.
I am also amazed that the comment was made that Mayor Hickman's writing that letter of support for Madon was not city business - of course it is, it is everyone's business! And Hickman's sarcastic comment to Ms. Jackson was childish and inappropriate to his office. I found many of the letters attesting on ex-mayor Madon's behalf to be well-intentioned but misguided - maybe my definition of what makes a good Christian differs from others.
But regardless of people's personal feelings toward Mr. Madon, there is no question that Hickman used his office to lend validity to his personal views. It is an ethics violation and he should be called on it. Middlesboro has made great strides from its Wild West past but I am afraid that meetings like this one show a slide backwards.
Martha Wiley
Lot bigger suff going on like enough sand?
I dont blame Moyers. When they thought that there was problem why did'nt the Father and Son council members pick up the phone and call Moyers.
Street washer has not been seen in how long? Oh
and all of sudden thats a big concern.
I cant believe they would question Chief Jeff Sharpe. The reports are 3 (three) months behind and now we are concerned, he has July laying on his desk. Who knows about the rest. That would cut down on the cruiseing time with Chief Sharpe and Pursifull yea the Pursifull that his son has been all over the news.
I am another one that Mayor Hickman writes a letter on city letterhead for Madon a total embarrassment!
Since that 20 new jobs its going to make such a difference in this area they may have to close the unemployment office and oophs those 20 wont have jobs. Sounds like Lucas Carter missed a lot of math classes and then Daddy chimes in.
Get your heads out of your butts and do some good.
Dont use these offices that you hold that we the citizens of Middlesboro pay that check no matter how small it is!