GREENVILLE —
There was a police presence at the door, a crowd full of hecklers and a few verbal threats. But that didn’t stop the Greenville Town Council from passing an ordinance to create a town manager’s position, and to hire former councilman Randal Johnes to assume those duties. The measure passed by a 3-2 vote.
However, the vote, and the way the proceedings were conducted, left several of the 75 or so residents who attended the meeting angry and looking for answers.
“People just wanted information ... why do we need a town manager,” Wayne Kessinger asked after the meeting. “I’m appalled. It’s an embarrassment. What century is he living in?”
The “he” Kessinger was referring to is Greenville Town Council President Talbotte Richardson who said from the outset of the meeting he was not going to allow public comment at the special meeting. But that didn’t stop some from lashing out as Council Vice President Patti Hayes tried to read the ordinance.
Richardson threatened to have the town marshal clear the gym, but decided against it.
“I am asking people out there to stay out of it. This has nothing to do with you. You elected us to represent you.”
But that only go the crowd more incensed.
“You ought to be run out of town Talbotte,” yelled one resident.
Richardson, Hayes and Gregory Redden, all Republicans, voted in favor of the measure while Democrat Darryl Kepley and Republican Bob Wright voted against it.
Richardson allowed Kepley and Wright two minutes to speak prior to the vote, and both asked why residents were not allowed to address the council.
“No, it’s my meeting,” Richardson said.
Wright said he wanted to see something in writing that states residents would not be allowed to speak at a public meeting.
But Richardson had instructions passed out at the door explaining that the special meeting was called for informational purposes only and for the second and third reading of the ordinance to create the town manager’s position.
“I’ve never seen anyone run a meeting like that,” said Kepley who defeated Johnes by one vote last November. “We didn’t address the people’s concerns. He tries to bully his way and all he did was make everyone mad.”
Most of those in attendance were against hiring Johnes as town manager, including longtime resident Mike McKown.
“It’s an embarrassment to the people of Greenville,” he said. “This is not the kind of town I want to see at all. This town does not need a town manager if the town board does its job the way it is suppose to do it.”
Richardson insists a town manager is needed to oversee two big projects facing the town — the construction of a new water tower and the possible purchase of a sewer treatment plant in the Heritage Springs development. Johnes will be paid $150 a week for two years and then the position will be evaluated. Richardson said if the town did not have a town manager it would have to hire a consulting firm to oversee the projects costing as much as $40,000.
Redden, who was elected to the council last November, stuck around after the meeting to listen to residents’ concerns. He said he spent hours researching the issue before voting in favor of it.
“I’ve talked to people in the town, put hours of thought into it and thought it was best for the town,” he said. “I feel like Mr. Johnes has saved people money [with past ordinances] and hiring him as a consultant will help the town save more money.
“I represent the town. I am not going to run ... if people want to vent that is fine.”
An ordinance to transfer funds for the position of town manager also passed 3-2 on first reading. It will receive a second and third reading at the Feb. 13 meeting.
Recent Local News
Related Photos
-
Talbotte Richardson
Discussion
Greenville town manager hired, incensing silenced crowd
Board president refuses public comment before 3-2 vote; Johnes will assume duty
- Recent Local News
-
-
SWEET TREAT: Volunteers see the attraction of annual Starlight Strawberry Festival
-
Board chair: Parks district best solution for New Albany and Floyd County
Mayor Jeff Gahan’s veto of a new parks deal between the city and county was upheld earlier this month by the New Albany City Council. While the Floyd County Council agreed to still pay an additional $100,000 toward the parks department for the remainder of the year, the city and county remain under a prior agreement that led to funding discrepancies in the past.
-
THE 'V' WORD: SUB: Prosser Career Education Center moves away from stigma of ‘vocational’ school
- TARC sets Memorial Day and Kennedy Bridge route changes
- Indiana man releases hostages, fatally shoots self
-
Vietnam veteran receives medals 46 years after active duty ends
- More travelers to hit the road this Memorial Day weekend
-
Pence talks bridges, jobs during Southern Indiana swing
“I think everyone senses with the recent bridges agreement, the potential for extraordinary growth,” said Mike Pence, a U.S. House member who is seeking to replace Gov. Mitch Daniels and retain the gubernatorial seat for the Republican Party.
- Police: Gunman has hostages in Indiana realty office
-
Delaware woman dies in I-65 crash
-
Collingsworth Family to perform at Silver Heights Retreat Center in New Albany
The Collingsworth Family will be making a return trip to the Silver Heights Retreat and Camp Center in New Albany on Thursday, June 7.
-
Clark County approves self-insurance plan
Clark County Insurance Agent-of-Record Diane Swank presented health insurance renewal options at the council meeting Monday, but the county’s fiscal body decided to recess its meeting in order to review a proposal to move the county to a self-insured plan.
-
New theater directors at NAHS and FCHS ready for their programs
As the curtain falls on the careers of the teachers who put the theater programs of Floyd Central and New Albany high schools on the map, the new blood coming in have big hopes for the programs they’re taking over.
-
Jeff to start enforcing insurance ordinances
A 2004 ordinance that dictates how much city retirees pay for health insurance – ignored for years by Jeffersonville officials – looks like it will now be enforced.
-
Top Gun showing Saturday at the New Albany riverfront
In honor of Memorial Day, the city of New Albany will show the movie “Top Gun” on its new 40-foot screen at the Riverfront Amphitheater Saturday.
- More Recent Local News Headlines
-
