Elkton, TN Mayor Suspends
Street Department Employee

By Perry Lewter

At Thursday's meeting of the Elkton Board of Mayor and Alderman, Mayor Bill Ware suspended the lone employee of the street department, Marie Russell until further notice. The mayor cited that Russell did not do what he directed her to. That charge included falsifying records kept in a log book that was to include a record of what she did each day and number of hours worked.

The mayor gave the former employee an opportunity to respond to the charges. After Russell's response the mayor stated she was not telling the truth.

Aldermen Carolyn Holt and Roosevelt Whitfield asked the mayor what he wanted the council to do?

"It is up to the board to make ordinances and it is up to the mayor to keep the ordinance," Ware stated. He asked that the suspension go into effect.

"We need the street department," Whitfield added.

"This is not something we should vote on immediately," Holt added.

On the day in question, Mayor Ware asked that Russell follow the garbage trucks and make sure that all the garbage in the city was picked up. Russell said she talked with both drivers and showed the driver of the smaller truck where two new pick up spots would be. The mayor said he showed the driver of the smaller truck where to go.

"I don't feel like I have had to back up to the door to pick up a check," Russell said. "I care about the town and try to do whatever needs to be done."

Alderman Holt said a possible warning or reprimand would have been the best way to handle the situation.

Alderman Whitfield added that if she did not follow his orders a reprimand was in order.

The mayor added that it comes down to keeping the street department or building a fire hall. He felt for the time being the street department should be done away with.

Alderman Whitfield made a motion that the mayor and the former street department employee sit down and iron out their differences. Alderman Holt seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

Giles County's EMA Director Pierre Billard told the council that he will be holding town meetings to discuss ways the make the county a better and safer place to live. A grant has been given for the creation of an All Hazard Mitigation Plan. There can be several plans through the county and Billard is seeking input from citizens of each of the communities. Ardmore has a plan in place through Lincoln County. Elkton's plan is in its beginning stages. He will give a 15-minute Power Point presentation in the very near future, a committee will be formed and the formation of the plan will begin.

The mayor was given permission to cash the city's only CD. The motion to give him permission was from Alderman Holt with a second from Alderman Whitfield.

"We may not have enough to pay the bills and pay the salaries," Mayor Ware stated. "Money from the CD, not including the penalty for cashing it, would go in the general fund."

The council approved Elkton's inclusion in the Giles County Economic Development Commission. Elkton pays $1,606 annually to be part of that commission.

The City and part-time Police Officer Chris Martin have come to terms concerning him attending the Police Academy May 28 through August 4. Both Martin and the city will be each pay $1,000 for the $2,000 tuition fee. Martin will receive pay for 40 hours per week while at the academy at his current pay rate.

Six months after graduation the city will pay $500 of the tuition fee Martin paid on his own. The remainder of that fee will be paid off within the year, with payment of $250 every six months until the fee is paid off.

Elkton Police Chief Jim Stewart said there were five arrests in February, 28 citations issued and six calls for service. There are two investigations still in progress.

Stewart added that the city has received a grant from the Department of Defense for a bullet resistant vest and a mobile data unit for dispatch and transfer for an unmarked car at no cost to the city. The police department and the fire department had also received a 4x4 truck for use in inclement weather from the Department of the Defense.

The fire department had two meetings and answered six calls for service during February. The EMA gave the department two radios. Alderman Roosevelt Whitfield made a motion that the February 9 minutes of the Elkton Board of Mayor and Aldermen be accepted and filed as read. Alderman Holt seconded the motion that passed unanimously.