A Columbus restaurant owner may have more questions than answers after appearing Tuesday before the Columbus City Council. Glen Baldwin, owner of the Cattleman’s Steak and Fish House and Pit and Cone restaurants, wanted answers from the council regarding a recent appointment to the Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau.
“I previously applied for a CVB nomination and I didn’t receive a vote,” said Baldwin. “I want to know why I didn’t get a vote?”
Baldwin said his restaurants pay the two-percent restaurant tax used to fund the CVB’s budget. Bernard Buckhalter, who lives in Columbus but works in Starkville, was re-appointed to the position, which is one of three appointed by the city. Ward 5 Councilman Kabir Karriem made the motion to re-appoint Buckhalter in July. The motion passed 4-2 with Ward 3 Councilman Charlie Box and Ward 6 Councilman Bill Gavin voting against the motion.
“I want to know why I was singled out in the newspaper when it takes four votes to make this happen,” Karriem said to Baldwin. “(Buckhalter) asked me for his support — if you want support you have to ask for it. I think Mr. Buckhalter has done a good job. He asked me out of respect. You live outside the city but there is no statute that says you have to live in the city to serve on the board.”
“So I needed to come to each member of the council and ask for his support?” Baldwin asked.
Mayor Robert Smith attempted to explain the process of board appointments. According to Smith, the board can choose to make appointments by a motion or a nomination. The Buckhalter appointment was made by a nomination. Smith’s explanation was supported by City Attorney Jeff Turnage.
“Roberts Rules of Order says it can be done either way,” said Turnage. “The council is not required to do it as a nomination. This body has determined to do it by a motion.”
Box told Baldwin he did have the votes and support of two members of the council.
“You did have support on this board,” Box said. “We, Mr. Gavin and myself, would have voted for you if we had been given the opportunity to do so.”
Smith said appointing Baldwin would have gone against a city policy.
“We do have a local policy that says our (appointees) must live inside the city limits,” said Smith.
Apparently, there is no local policy that requires CVB appointees to work in the city, however.
Jeff Clark was previously a reporter for The Dispatch.
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