Daniel Prince
Citizen speaker takes issue with how sheriff, council member dresses
In other news from Tuesday’s Union County Council meeting, Sue Cudd was honored for 25 years of service with the county. Nikia Brannon was recognized for 20 years of service. Other service awards went to James Boulware, Danny Inman, and Ann DeHart. Phil Bell did not make it to the meeting, so the council did not hear about the Main Street Holiday Kickoff event. They also didn’t get an update on the Livestock Association, as LeighAnn Arthur and Ricky Smith were unable to attend.
Michael Taylor did address the council. Taylor said he was a Vietnam veteran and member of a gold star family, as his brother was killed in action in Vietnam. He said his brother, Captain George Dennis Taylor, would have been 79 that day. Taylor focused his comments on past corruption in the supervisor’s and sheriff’s office and blamed council for poor oversight. He had several negative comments to make about current Sheriff Jeff Bailey, including criticizing what he wears. Following the meeting, he also had a heated exchange with council member Dr. John Flood about how Flood dressed for the meeting.
Tourism Director Curtiss Hunter requested that council release funds that had been set aside for use in renovating the old jail for use as a future visitor’s center. She said some work had begun on the facility with the help of inmate labor, but she has to get environmental tests and other things done at the building, things with which inmate labor can’t help. She said $35,000 had been set aside in the budget. Interim Supervisor Bob Love stated that the first phase of the project was expected to cost around $6500. The money would be taken from tourism funds. Council voted unanimously to appropriate the money.
Christina McDowell, director of Healthy U Behavioral Health Services, requested budgeted capital funds be released for the purchase of five new desktop computers for her office. She said $11,000 had been budgeted, and the quote came in at $9126.80. Council unanimously voted to approve the funds from the capital expenditures account.
Council also unanimously approved spending $55,000 from economic development fund 327 to fund the Goldville fire substation in Carlisle. Council had adopted a resolution last month promising a local match of $55,000 for a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant for which the county would be applying.
We’ll have more from the meeting in tomorrow’s newscast.