Mickey Starling
reporter3@greenepublishing.com
On Tuesday, Aug. 4, the Lee Town Council convened to select a new town manager to replace Town Manager John Anderson, who is retiring soon. Deputy Clerk Sona Hayslett was the only applicant for the position. After some discussion, the council voted unanimously to promote Hayslett to the post, with the understanding that she will be given a six months probational period. Should Hayslett decide the job isn't a good fit for her, she can return to being the deputy clerk. "I feel comfortable with Sona taking this position,"said Mayor Eddie Bell. "It seems we work together almost every day, anyway."
Since the position will begin on a probationary basis, Councilman Ronnie Bass suggested that a part-time deputy clerk be hired. "The paperwork they deal with is astronomical," said Bass. Bell agreed, saying that he had been working to move some of the town manager's responsibilities to the deputy clerk's office to ease the load. Town Manager John Anderson will be searching for someone to fill the part-time position.
Lee Volunteer Fire Department Acting Chief Leroy Rutherford gave a lengthy and passionate plea for more volunteers in the department. Rutherford lamented the current cultural shift in the younger generation's perception of responsibility. "What I hear all the time is people who just want you to put out their fire because they paid their assessment tax," said Rutherford. Others have frequently asked what the volunteer fire department pays. "When the almighty dollar is more important than your neighbor, there's a problem. If you don't help, we will be a thing of the past."
Rutherford also pointed out the current "unfair establishment" of ISO (International Organization for Standardization) ratings will only make insurance problems more difficult for businesses and residents. To receive better rates, current policies require four certified firefighters to answer every call. "We don't send that many certified fighters to trash bin fires or other smaller fires," said Rutherford. "It's really difficult to find new volunteers who will commit to the many hours of classes required for certification."
Council members also looked into ways to lower the town's property insurance rates and clean the city's water tank. The council has scheduled a budget workshop meeting for Tuesday, Sept. 8, beginning at 6:30 p.m., at Lee City Hall.