This tree fell just as I was driving by on Sat. Morning.
It wasn’t hard for me to decide what I thought was the most exciting thing to happen around the Flo Crossroads this week. On Saturday morning during those high winds as I was rounding the first curve on FM 831 just about a mile south of the crossroads traveling North, right behind Don Lathrop’s grandson, Dustin Baker, a big pine tree over on Ken Woodard’s place blew down across the fence and fell between Dustin’s pickup and my car. The tree only reached the edge of the road, but with it falling right in front of me, and right behind Dustin it was enough to make me emergency brake, and get off the road on the other side.
Typical of Flo, Dustin turned around to see what had happened and then roared off to Ken and to offer to fix his fence before the cows could get out. Typical of Flo, Dustin didn’t expect any payment for his neighborliness, and also typical of Flo, Ken insisted on paying him.
Flo WSC General Manager Jim Martin called to ask everyone to check their pipes for leaks following the cold snap. My gauge showed about 12 degrees early. Apparently the cold caused problems with the pumps, and Jim has been working day and night for the last three days trying to get everything back in order. If there are any weekender places you watch, check on them, and try to hold down use until the pipes are fixed by the owners.
Tonja, and Steve Post were visitors in Flo over the weekend along with their sons James and Cody. They were helping grandpa, Leon Moore over at the Bar Running M.
The
I received good news this week. My son Luke, who has been a visitor to Flo since he was born, announced that he had proposed to his girlfriend, Amanda McCoy of Timpson. Amanda said yes, and they are expecting to set a date in the middle of June after his older sister, Tasca returns from
Well, the weather here in Flo has been typical of
By Mac Shadix
Following an open records request by a Buffalo Press reporter on Monday morning February 12, the Flo Community Water Supply System held a called meeting on Monday afternoon at five thirty p.m. to adjust their time frames for mailing and receiving documents in relation to the upcoming water board election.
The Buffalo Press reporter had requested a copy of the Procedures for Conducting an Annual Stockholders Meeting. Maverick Flo WSC Director, Richard Moran had placed a request on the agenda of the last meeting of the WSC to; “Discuss and take action on clarifying the procedure used to receive, process and secure the proxy ballots.” No such document had been forthcoming in response to the agenda item but a written policy is called for in the Corporation Bylaws, and hence the Public Records request.
All members of the Board were present at the meeting except for President Gary Bell. Vice President Bobby Pittman presided over the brief meeting. The procedure was amended and no further business was conducted.
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FLO Annual Stockholders procedures discovered
By Mac Shadix
An open records request to the Flo Community Water Supply Corp. on Monday, February 12th yielded a printed policy for conducting an Annual Stockholders meeting as required in the Bylaws. For some reason this policy was not mentioned in response to Director Richard Moran’s agenda item at the Thursday February 8th meeting which read; Discuss and take action on clarifying the procedure used to receive, process and secure the proxy ballots. We will report on the contents of the Procedures Policy in upcoming posts. Moran was trying to find out how the election would be held and his inquiries showed that the privacy of member ballots would not be upheld. That has now been changed to where you can seal your ballots in an envelope and mark it... do not open until election.
The Reddest Redbirds in the World
Flo has to be the home of the reddest redbirds in the world. The Cardinals are always the first to capture my attention with their exuberant red a promise against the sear brown of winter. The Blue Jays are here and the Robins. Early spring is such a wonderful time of year.
Pat Vann of Leona, previously of
Flo’s James Coker is a member of the Beef and Forage Committee of Leon County and he invited me to attend one of their meetings. Coker is this years forage champion for the quality of the hay he presented at contest. The
Beef and Forage committee is planning three events for
The
Something occurred this week that I never thought I would live to see. While partaking of the great fish at the Flo Café on Friday night I was served complimentary wine, and homemade chocolate covered cherries. I had my choice of white, or red wine and ever being correct, I chose the white to go with my fish. An added treat was that the fish plate arrived with a shrimp cocktail that was delicious. Margo says that she will open the Flo Café on Saturdays now, soon.
Don’t forget that the Flo News is online now, along with the stories of the Flo Community Water System.
theflonewsonline.blogspot.com
You can also mail your comments or news to;
The Flo News at FM 831 &,
Post Office Box 1511
Large Crowd Attends Meeting of Flo Water Supply Corp.
By Mac Shadix
Proclaiming himself a ‘lame duck’ because he is not seeking reelection, the Vice President of Flo Community Water Supply Corporation, Bobby Pittman presided over the Feb. 8 meeting of the Flo WSC in his own unique style. One of the largest crowds in Flo WSC history was present, estimated at between ninety and one hundred and twenty persons, to witness Pittman tell Director Hollis Bradshaw “Now you sit down and wait” when Bradshaw made a suggestion. Pittman also called the judge in the bankruptcy case, “about half senile.” He also called on Buffalo Press Photojournalist Mac Shadix to apologize to the board for having written that the system which governed the water corp. problems last summer was a “failed experiment in contract management.”
The meeting began with Pittman opening the floor to member’s comments and questions. “Only ask questions and make comments about today’s agenda items.” Pittman directed the audience.
First to ask a question was Member John Dearing. “Wait a minute, I have a question. …..I would like to know what happened to all the money that came in for these thirteen years?” Dearing said as Pittman canvassed the room for those who would like to speak.
Pittman described previous law suits against Flo WSC in a long reply to Dearing. He said in part; that the Board told the driller of a previous disappointing well to, “Move on down the road.” But Pittman added that, “He had a legitimate contract with us and he filed a lawsuit.”
“I am not a candidate for reelection so I can say what I think. Whoever takes over running this board, they got a tough time finding the money for making the repairs that are going to have to be made over the next year or two.” Pittman said.
The arbitration judge in
The Flo WSC Vice President continued to talk for several minutes when a voice from the audience called out, “three minute rule.”
“I have all day if I want to talk.” Pittman replied. “Man asked a question and I want him to understand.”
The next questioner was Mike Foucheux. “I would like to know what steps are being taken to improve our water situation?” he asked.
General Manager Jim Martin was directed by Pittman to answer the question and Martin told the audience that the Flo well was supplying most of the system, that the Highway 75 well was offline and that there were ongoing efforts to flush the lines.
Next, a voice from the room said, “I take exception”
“What was your name? Pittman asks.
“Doris Pittman, not your wife.” Doris Pittman replies.
“You are sure right about that.” Vice President Bobby Pittman answered.
“I take exception to some of the facts that you are handing out about decisions that the board made on the lawsuit. I think the lawsuit should have been settled. I don’t think you should have spent $100,000 a year on attorney’s fees and …put us into bankruptcy.” Doris Pittman said.
“I appreciate your comments. Next” Bobby Pittman said.
“My name is Ken Brashears, and I notice reading the paper that you all say that we were not bankrupt, that we filed Ch. 11. I would like you to explain to me what the difference between Ch. 11 and bankruptcy is?” said the next member to address the meeting.
“Well,
A member in the audience said. “But that cost us $600,000 in lawyer’s fees.”
“Stand up and tell your name and ask your question right.” Pittman told her.
“Well, my name is Vonda Nicholson and I don’t have a question, I have a comment.” She said.
“Well, we are taking questions right now.” Pittman responded.
“Ok, I can make it a question. How much money in the last five years have you paid out in lawyers fees to settle a million dollar lawsuit down to $500,000?” Nicholson asked.
“I don’t know.” Pittman admitted.
“Approximately $600,000.” Nicholson interjected.
The Water Board then moved on to the agenda and approved the minutes of the last meeting and the January Financial, Expense and New member requests without incident.
There was a discussion of item seven which was to discuss and take action on request of a copy of the operating accounts and check and deposit register be provided at each meeting with both Bradshaw and Pittman explaining that it wasn’t needed at the meeting and then General Manager Jim Martin told the group that he planned to include it in Directors packets available to them before meetings so they could have time to study it if need arose.
Item eight was a discussion on procedures used to receive process and secure ballots in the upcoming election. Pittman had Office Manager Delores Bynum describe a process where she opened the ballots and then put them in a locked box.
Vonda Nicholson asked, “Are they sealed or unsealed at that time. Are they in the sealed envelope that we return back to you at that time or are they open?”
The answer was that they were opened.
At that point Director Hollis Bradshaw asked. “Can we let Ann (Boykin) respond to that because she is the Chairman of the Credentials Committee?”
“No. I want Delores to tell how it has been done in the past and then Ann can respond to anything that she wants to. Now you sit down and wait.” Pittman told Bradshaw.
Director Richard Moran pointed out that the Bylaws require that the credentials committee be appointed by the board after the board was told that President Gary Bell had appointed Director Bradshaw, Jim Martin, and Ann Boykin to the committee.
Pittman then called for nominations for the committee and Moran nominated Boykin. Terry Bradshaw volunteered and then Director Bradshaw told Pittman that she was his wife and they sought another volunteer. Mrs. Bradshaw seemed offended that she was not put on the committee. Member John Dearing was then selected to make up the third member of the committee along with Jim Martin and Ann Boykin. They did not address the issue of whether Jim Martin is a member of the Corp. as called for in the Bylaws, Article VI, Section 3.
Vice President Pittman then turned his attention to the press, with which he seemed unhappy.
“Now, before I turn it over to Jim to make his systems report, Mr. Shadix, I feel like you owe the Flo Water and the board an apology. Last month in the paper you came out with an article that said that we had a failed attempt at a contract manager and I am here to dispute that and say that the man did an excellent job, did exactly what we hired him to do. At the time we hired him, you couldn’t hire a licensed man anywhere in the State of
Rising to his feet, Shadix, Photojournalist for the Buffalo Press, replied; “I fail to find this on the agenda, Mr. Vice President.”
“Well, I just put it on the agenda. I make the agenda.” Pittman said.
“That is what you do about every meeting isn’t it?” Shadix responded.
“Yeah, if I want to.” Pittman said.
“Yeah, that’s right.” Shadix added.
“You keep a ringing the Enquirer up.” Pittman concluded.
After that exchange, Pittman turned the meeting over to General Manager Jim Martin for the Systems report. Moran said that there had been a payment drop established at Robinsons Ace Hardware in
Martin reported that they had locked out 21 meters for non payment. There was over $13,000 due the cash strapped utility from non paying members.
He also reported that there was a Flo Water web site up, flocommunitywater.org where notices and information would be posted for the use of members.
Questions were then taken from the floor for some time with more people asking question and contributing opinions.
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theflonewsonline.blogspot.com
Flo is now online, or at least The Flo News is online. You can see the photographs in color; make comments, view an older column, or show a friend or neighbor who does not have a subscription a column or story that takes your fancy. There is information on how to subscribe for those who are not now getting the paper. The address online is;
theflonewsonline.blogspot.com
You can also mail your comments or news to;
The Flo News at FM 831 &,
Post Office Box 1511
The Flo news of the week had to be that Flo Community Water Supply President Gary Bell had suffered a heart attack and was to resign from the Flo WSC. There was good news at the Flo WSC members meeting on Friday night when some of those present reported that he was home, and up and about. Modern medicine is wonderful. Everyone wishes
Margo Carmichael reopened the Flo Café on Friday night after a brief respite in January. The café, in the old Flo Store building is more of a Flo institution than a business. Besides really good catfish in generous portions with all the fixings, one can find conversation with neighbors and occasional domino or forty-two games. Right now the café is open on Friday nights from five till…..Margo reports that she plans to expand the open days fairly soon. You should see what she has done with the place.
The deadline for entries in the new edition of the Leon County History Book is drawing near, according to Earl Hill Moore. He said that a firm date had not been set, but that it would be soon. I have some entries to finish for it and you should make sure that your family history is presented in these wonderful books.
Chase Lee was one of those in attendance at the Friday night meeting. It is wonderful to see young people from Flo who are able to make their home here as adults. It is all too rare nowadays that they can find the economic opportunities close at home.
Jake Stephens of Flo who plays varsity basketball for the Oakwood Panthers was in civilian clothes on the sidelines at the Tuesday night game against
The recent run of cold weather and the latest electric bill was enough to get me to hook up my wood heater which has been missing a couple of stovepipe fittings all winter. With that task done one can only wonder….. Can spring be far away? I guess it is a sign of modern life that I am far more concerned with the working of my computer than with the wood stove.
Carolyn Tomko, Nancy Spivey and I stood out in the cold and chatted about Flo, and Flo WSC after the member meeting Friday night. I wound up with a cold after standing out there without a hat. I hope that the ladies didn’t suffer the same fate.
My grandfather said……….One of the stories that I heard about my grandfather J.L. ‘Jack’ Moore was about his first job at the cotton gin at Oden. Oden was located on the banks of Wheelock Creek just north of the Wheelock cemetery. It had a post office and was on the ‘main road’ that we now call ‘The Star Route’. He had to carry a three bushel basket of lint cotton up a twelve step ladder to dump it in the cotton press to be made into a bale. He later remembered it as a very hard job, hot and dusty.
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Flo Water Board Supporters Rally
By Mac Shadix
Members of Flo Community Water Supply Corporation held a meeting on Friday night at seven p.m. to rally behind the current board of directors. Flo WSC part time employee Carolyn Tomko opened the meeting in the
Nancy Spivey who was appointed to the board this year and is running for a position in the upcoming election told the group of about 35 persons that she was from Flo and had the interests of the community in heart in wanting to serve. She said that she wanted more order at the board meetings and to unite the community behind the WSC.
“Don’t be fooled into thinking that this can be fixed overnight.” She said.
Hollis Bradshaw told the meeting that he had been an army captain and had retired from the Texas Prison System. He said he moved to
Newspapers were using spin language he said, when they reported that the board of directors “supposedly” went into executive session to discuss employee bonuses and came out having adjusted payments to General Manager Jim Martin’s health package and created the delegation to go to Southeast Water.
The other candidate for the Flo WSC board, Richard Blanchard, told the group that he was from
Member Mack Jackson addressed the group. He told them that a house divided cannot stand, that he wanted peace and quite in Flo, and that they should “vote em in and leave em alone” to applause from the audience.
“If anyone wants to argue with you about the Flo WSC, just tell them; You might be right.” He said.
Former Flo WSC director Johnny Boykin asked the group to support the current board. James Boykin, another former director was also in the audience.
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Emergency Meeting of Flo Water Board
By Mac Shadix
An emergency called meeting of Flo WSC was held Friday at ll:30 to discuss and put to rest the rumor that Flo WSC was to furnish water to the new
Buffalo Independent School District Superintendent Jackie Thompson confirmed to the Buffalo Press that there had been no consideration of Flo WSC providing water for the new high school. Water for the school will either come from the City of
Pittman said that the resignation had not been accepted at this time and that it may not be accepted until after the upcoming elections to give the new board the chance to appoint the director according to reports from those in attendance.
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