Rick Patrick
rick@greenepublishing.com
In an effort to help the town recuperate from “prior mismanagement,” the members of the Greenville Town Council voted to approve an ordinance that would reduce the salary paid to council members from $490 per month to $1 per month. According to the town’s charter, there are limitations put into place to restrict increasing the salary of council members, but the charter does not prohibit members from reducing their salary. The salary was originally set at $250 per month and was increased to $350 per month in October of 2021, then to $490 per month in October of 2023. Council member Chiquila Pleas questioned if the reduction in salary would have to go before the voters. Town Attorney John Reid said it would not have to go before the voters, since reducing the salary is not restricted by the town’s charter. The council voted to pass the ordinance on a 3-2 vote, with Council Member Pleas and Vice-Mayor Robin Housh casting the dissenting votes.
The council approved a request for the parade route for the Greenville Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 13. The parade route is expected to follow the same route as last year. Final approval for the closing of U.S. Hwy. 90 will have to come from the Florida Department of Transportation.
There will be a Farmers Market on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m., behind Town Hall. There will also be a “trunk or treat” event, provided by the DSR Public Health Foundation, for any youngsters who attend.
Council Member Pleas requested the council to reconsider the land lease agreement with Pop’s Sanitation. The lease was agreed upon in June of 2024, over Council Member Pleas’ objections. It has been the argument of Council Member Pleas that the $1,000 per month the town receives for the 50 acres is too low. It was stated at the beginning that Pop’s Sanitation planned to put their headquarters in Greenville and to hire several locals to fill expected job positions. At present, cleaning the land of trash and debris has been underway, performed by Pop’s Sanitation. Prior to the lease agreement, the land had been used for illegal trash dumping. It was agreed that the council members will examine the lease and place it on the agenda at a later date.
The next regular meeting of the Greenville Town Council is scheduled to take place on Thursday, Nov. 6. This will be an organizational session, during which new members of the town council will be sworn in and mayor and vice-mayor will be elected by the council, followed by the regular meeting. The meeting is set to take place in the Greenville Senior/Youth Building, located at 152 SW Onslow St., in Greenville.