City Council conducts second reading; stalls county E-911 plans JOE REDMON City Mayor Ronnie Joyner gaveled his last Brandenburg City Council meeting to order on Dec. 11. Among the many agenda items considered by the assembled city council was the second reading of Ordinance #457, establishing a standard for street addressing within the city differing from the remainder of the county. This passed without comment. Russ Powell, executive director of the Meade County Area Chamber of Commerce was on hand to make his annual request for city funding of Chamber initiatives involving tourism and business development. The council approved the same $2,000 it committed in last year’s budget. Powell then presented Joyner a certificate of appreciation for his many years of service to the community as mayor. The Council heard a short explanation from mayor-elect and current chair of the Meade County/Brandenburg Industrial Authority (MCBIA) that a local business, Medley HVAC had agreed to purchase 2.4 acres in the Corum Industrial Park. No price was given for the purchase, but all were pleased that a local business had successfully grown to the point of needing the space and will continue to operate locally. The Council then voted to go into executive session to discuss a request by Sandy Brown, the mayor’s ex-wife, to reimburse expenses she says she incurred due to city actions. Essentially, her claim is that when the city capped off a water line directly behind her vacant house, this allowed sediment to build in the lines leading to her house. Though she complained to city hall, she claims they ignored her and she spent money on a new water heater and new line from the meter to the house, only to later find that none of this could correct the problem. She requested $2,600 to alleviate those expenses. In the end, the council voted to offer her $1,000. After the meeting, the mayor was asked why the council went into executive session over such a matter. He cited “potential” litigation (none of which is contemplated according to Ms. Brown and none of which has been threatened). Further, the mayor refused Brown’s request to recuse himself during the discussions. Mayor Joyner responded “…she’ll be my ex-wife from now on” and that this shouldn’t prevent him from doing his job. There was no comment from Brown on the offer of $1,000 dollars compensation. The Council set Christmas holiday for Monday and Tuesday, Dec 25 and 26. They received a positive report from the police chief regarding a recent Nov. 9 mass casualty exercise conducted in and around Brandenburg. The reports given to the chief by state officials were very positive and reflected well upon the department and city. The next scheduled city Council meeting will be the second Monday of January and will feature Joyner joining the Council as a member and Mayor-elect Pace taking the reins of mayor.
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