On October 6 the Oktibbeha County BOS held two meetings, one at 9 a.m. and one at 1 p.m. Both meetings were video taped and linked to the county webpage. I know we all live very busy lives, but these people spend millions of our tax dollars every month and more taxpayers need to pay attention and care how they conduct themselves representing us. The link is: https://www.youtube.com/live/WezD_bpL7qg You can fast-forward to minute 17 of the 1 p.m. meeting. The following is how I would summarize minutes 17 to 29 and the ”recess” from 29 to 50.
In earlier meetings, the BOS had approved Pritchard Engineering, Inc. to prepare contract information on numerous road projects. As Mr. Pritchard started to explain each, this is when supervisors drove their county vehicles into the ditch. My elected supervisor, Pattie Little, was acting as Board President and in theory, running the meeting. Within a few minutes, it appeared she had lost complete control of the meeting. Supervisor Trainer, who I have great respect for, came completely unglued, shouting at the other supervisors and the county administrator. The issue goes back to a meeting when the supervisors were discussing what to do with the money coming from selling the hospital. Some wanted it invested, just using the interest each year and not touching principle. Trainer wanted it split five ways, letting each supervisor decide how to use it in their district.
Oktibbeha still operates in the old “beat system” which in the mid 1980s almost the entire state went to the “unit system” due to widespread corruption. In Trainer’s defense, he was wanting to spend the money on the roads regardless of whose district it was located. Supervisor Howard was asking for an executive session, which would have been illegal, County Attorney Roberson came and pulled Ms. Little to safety by suggesting she call for a “recess.”
The county kept videoing the meeting but the sound was turned off. From minute 30 to 59 you can watch as supervisors Trainer, Howard, Williams, and other county employees stayed at the board table. Conducting business during the recess is illegal and violates the state’s Sunshine law. Being honest neither me or anyone else could hear what was being discussed, but watching the waving of arms and their other body language, it didn’t look like they were planning a social function! Supervisor Carver left the board room for the entire recess. Ms. Little came in and out of the camera view during the recess. You can tell by her hand jesters she got engaged in the conversations.
After the 30-minute recess a miracle happened, the board quickly passed several items without any conversation.
George Sills
Starkville
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