The regular meeting of the Flo Water Supply Corporation devolved into near chaos for a while as irascible, and pugnacious Director Bobby Pittman shouted at, interrupted, and insulted Co-Director Richard Moran and shouted at and argued with members of the corporation present in the audience who were authorized to speak. Director Hollis Bradshaw and President Gary Bell joined in, loudly expressing their displeasure with Moran who was battling for an open forum for members, the correction of the minutes, lawful nomination and election procedures and access to the billing invoices of the Corporation which are open records under
Moran who remained calm and civil was told at one point by Pittman, “I know where you are going to go if you keep running your mouth at me.”
At another point when Moran asked to be allowed to reply to what he called Pittman’s attack on him, Pittman said. “You don’t know what attack is, yet.”
“I don’t understand that threat.” Corporation member Doris Pittman said immediately after the exchange. (No relation to Director Bobby Pittman.)
The dysfunction of the Board highlighted a series of recent debacles; bankruptcy, a failed well and undrinkable water in a large part of the system, extensive boil water notices, multiple failures (water leaks) of a long neglected infrastructure, the resignation of a continuing series of directors, a rupture in relations with an adjoining water board, the failure of a contract management scheme, and now the apparent failure of the expensive treatment system installed to try to bring the Highway 75 well into usefulness.(see accompanying story, and the bad news is……..)
Recently appointed board member Nancy Spivey spoke out firmly to the group and in effect calmly read them the riot act.
“This board is out of control at this moment.” She said.
Earlier she had read them the section of the law about board members speaking on non agenda items, but was ignored during the verbal affray.
After that the meeting calmed down a little. The reading of the minutes was approved unaltered, over Director Moran’s objection.
Agenda item number seven, which sought to amend the minutes of the Nov. 9th meeting which did not reflect the actual requests made by Director Moran failed to draw a second and was passed over.
Item eight, Discuss and take action on nomination forms which had been prepared by directors Bradshaw and Moran passed. Director Pittman objected to the changes
“I don’t see any reason to change.” He said.
Item nine was a related item approving the date and place of the election and the ballot form. The date for the election which will determine control of the board with four places up for election was set for a meeting on Saturday March 24 at the
Director Moran joined Director Pittman in voting against the item because he objected to the ballot separating each office and assigning terms to those offices. He suggested that the four candidates receiving the most votes should be the ones to win office.
Director Hollis Bradshaw moved to table item ten which was to discuss and take action on providing copies of invoices over $500 to the board. After Director Pittman amended the motion to include all members, the motion to table was passed.
Agenda item eleven which provided for discussion and action on appointing a board member to act in the capacity of a Sergeant at Arms was discussed with Director Pittman speaking strongly against the proposal. Pittman was joined in his position by directors Spivey and Moran. Director Bradshaw spoke for the action and then withdrew the item as it became clear that it would not pass.
A discussion to appoint a committee to review the tariffs and corporation by-laws for updating and corrections drew a lively discussion with Corporation member Doris Pittman asking that a member of the corporation be included on the committee. It was pointed out that all the committee could do was propose and that any changes would have to be made by the membership. Director Pittman read a selection that said that any changes would have to be approved by the director of the federal agency to which Flo water is now indebted. Finally the measure was also tabled by a 3-2 vote.
The final item under current business was number thirteen which was to discuss and take action on allowing members to address the board on agenda items during board meetings. After a discussion where a motion to amend by Director Pittman failed to draw a second, Director Bradshaw moved to accept and Director Moran seconded the motion. The motion passed with four votes for and Director Pittman abstaining.
The final section of the meeting, which had begun with such clamor but had become much more businesslike, was the system report by General Manager Jim Martin. Before giving Martin the floor, President Gary Bell praised him for his work and dedication. He described Martin going underwater in thirty degree weather to find a water leak on Interstate 45.
“Jim has the knowledge.”
Director Bradshaw, and member Doris Pittman also spoke in support of Martin. For the story on Martin’s report see the accompanying story in today’s Buffalo Press.
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