Rick Patrick
rick@greenepublishing.com
During the regular meeting of the Greenville Town Council on Monday, Dec. 14, the council voted to name Interim Town Manager Lee Jones as the permanent town manager. Jones was hired in May of this year as the interim town clerk after the firing of the previous town clerk, Kim Reams. Jones' position changed later when the previous town manager, Ed Dean, resigned and took positions for Madison County and the City of Madison.
During discussion on the matter, Council Member Barbara Dansey raised questions over possible ethics violations. Council Member Dansey questioned whether or not there was a conflict of interest, due to contributions that Jones allegedly made to Greenville Mayor Brittni Brown's campaign. Greenville Town Attorney John Reid stated that as long as he did not engage in political activities, such as fundraising for Mayor Brown while on the job during office hours, he was free to contribute to Mayor Brown's campaign, under his First Amendment rights.
Council Member Dansey also said she felt the job needed to be advertised. Council Member Brandi Tillman stated that the job was advertised on the town's website and with a posting on the door of Town Hall since the end of August. According to Council Member Tillman, those were the only two places the job opening was publicized. There were two other job openings advertised on the town's website. Those were an accounting clerk/office assistant and an administrative assistant. Jones stated that there had been one application received for the position of clerk, no applications for town manager and "a handful" of applications for the administrative assistant position. Council Member Bobby Burnett stated that he felt the advertising wasn't very effective, considering the low number of applicants for the jobs. "We have given applicants ample opportunity to submit resumes," said Mayor Brown.
Council Member Burnett again raised questions about previous relationships between Mayor Brown and Jones and any of the other town council members. Mayor Brown said she had known Jones through other jobs and networking. Mayor Brown then stated a claim that Council Member Burnett had asked if anyone on the council was related to Jones. "Honestly, at that time, I was offended by that question, but we answered at that time and gave you a resounding 'no,'" said Mayor Brown. "I didn't understand the basis of that question, I think I even said at that time, 'Why were you asking that question? Was it because we were all black and Mr. Jones is black?' And you thought, I don't know, if you think all black people are related." Mayor Brown went on to pose the question, "Let's just say we did know him, is there anything illegal about knowing someone you work with?"
"I fully understand you're position, so just go ahead and do what you're going to do," said Council Member Burnett.
A vote was taken to hire Jones as the Greenville town manager and the motion was passed on a 3-2 vote, with Council Members Dansey and Burnett casting the dissenting votes. Town Attorney Reid said an ordinance would need to be drafted and presented at the next meeting. When asked about the town manager's salary, all Mayor Brown said was that it was "within the town's budget." A public information request was made to Jones, but, as of press time, a response had not been received. However, according to an article in the Wednesday, May 20, edition of the Madison County Carrier, when Jones was hired as the interim town clerk, his salary was approximately $87,000 per year. As a point of reference, the Madison City Commission recently approved a salary of $71,000 for the Madison City Manager, Jerome Wyche.
When the meeting was opened for public comment, one citizen, Lucille Day, called in to the meeting. She informed the council of a tree that had fallen on city property. Day seemed to be more concerned that no one was answering the phones at City Hall and messages were not being returned. There have been others who have had the same complaint. Mayor Brown assured Day that the town manager would be calling her.
In other business for the town, Town Manager Jones stated that bids for the new grocery store construction were higher than resources, which put a damper on the plans. However, Jones was able to find a new funding model and funds for the much anticipated project have been secured.
Attorney Reid informed the council that litigation with a former public works employee had been settled.
The next scheduled meeting of the Greenville Town Council is set to take place on Monday, Jan. 11, at 6 p.m., at Greenville City Hall, located at 154 SW Old Mission Ave., in Greenville. More information can be found at www.mygreenvillefl.com.