News | Tyrone

Barely approved

Mon, 01/16/2006 - 2:12pm
By: John Thompson

New planning commissioners OKd in 3-2 vote

Tyrone now has a full slate for its Planning Commission, but only by the narrowest of margins.

In a controversial vote that required Mayor Sheryl Lee to break a tie, the Town Council approved Ginger Blackstone, Donny James and Kevin Edwards to the board.

The controversy arose after the town’s two newest councilmen raised objections about the process involved in selecting the members. Council members Grace Caldwell and Gloria Furr objected to an e-mail sent by one of the candidates questioning whether a resume was really necessary for the position.

“In my former job, that e-mail would have gone in the trash,” Furr said.

Councilmen Paul Letourneau and Mike Smola favored going ahead and appointing the members since interviews had already occurred.

But Caldwell and Furr said they were not part of the process and would prefer waiting on making any appointments. With the vote deadlocked, Lee stepped in and broke the tie.

“I think we need to do this since we’ve already gone through the process,” she said.

Lee added that the matter could be discussed further at the town’s retreat Jan. 28.

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Tyrone vote...that is ...NOT.. how I heard it
Submitted by did not know on Tue, 01/17/2006 - 12:52am.

"Council members Grace Caldwell and Gloria Furr objected to an e-mail sent by one of the candidates questioning whether a resume was really necessary for the position."
WHAT I HEARD...and I was there too...was Gloria said...she got an email saying to the effect " do you really need a resume from me ...? You all know who I am..." “In my former job, that e-mail would have gone in the trash,” Furr said.

The point was, people who weren't friends with the powers that be, sent in a resume,in good faith, were put aside in favor of people who sent in ...no...resumes...I also heard ...no...statement about this would be re..thought at the retreat...it was a done deal. A good reporter would have seen this good story...Smola and some of the other council people got your last reporter, Lee Williams, in front of the rest of us,and told her that what she printed in the future would have to be first cleared by Smola, or that he would have to approve it. Shortly afterward, she lost her job, due to a need to cut cost. I doubt I will ever read your paper again, nor buy an add. I am sicken by this and have lost respect for you. I feel I know where you stand...just to tread water and not report....shame shame...people were reading...those that were, will back off and the interest in your paper will fade....and these people that objected to Lee Williams....well I think...they will be history next election....

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Ginger?
mudcat's picture
Submitted by mudcat on Mon, 01/16/2006 - 8:00pm.

Don't know the other two, But Ginger is a bad choice - she has an agenda and it will hurt Tyrone.
meow


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