Town of Maggie Valley

Special Called Board of Aldermen Meeting

April 27, 2005

MINUTES

 

Members Present:    Mayor Jo Pinter        Aldermen:     Linda Taylor

                                                                                                Roger McElroy

                                                                                                Mark DeMeola

                                                                                                Phil Aldridge

Staff Present:                        Manager Bob Shepherd, Attorney Chuck Dickson and Deputy                                               Clerk Shayne Wheeler

 

Meeting Called to Order

Mayor Pinter called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. in the Town Hall Boardroom.

 

It was restated that anyone wanting to address the Board of Aldermen must have talked with the Town Manager prior to being placed on the agenda.

 

Mayor Pro-Tem

Alderman Taylor apologized for her reactions when requested to step down as Mayor Pro-Tem.  Alderman Taylor explained that the request took her by surprise adding that she appreciated the opportunity to serve and felt some positive things were accomplished.

 

Council will need to help with the duties that Alderman Taylor had while serving as Mayor Pro-Tem, such as the MPO Board.  Alderman Taylor was also the only representative from Haywood County.

 

Alderman DeMeola questioned if Alderman Taylor could serve on the MPO Board as a council member, not necessarily the Mayor Pro-Tem.

 

Ms. Tammy Wight (1527 Soco Road) addressed the Board stating that Council was trying to execute Alderman Taylor and that the employees are not going through the Chain- of -Command by talking with other Board Members.

 

Mayor Pinter turned the meeting over to the Council Members that called the Special Called Meeting.

 

ALDERMAN ALDRIDGE MADE A MOTION TO ELECT A NEW MAYOR PRO-TEM.

ALDERMAN DEMEOLA SECONDED THE MOTION GOING ON TO THANK ALDERMAN TAYLOR FOR HER SERVICE BUT FEELS IT IS A NECESSARY CHANGE TO MOVE THE TOWN FORWARD.

MOTION CARRIED.

 

ALDERMAN DEMEOLA MADE A MOTION TO APPOINT ALDERMAN ROGER MCELROY AS MAYOR PRO-TEM.

ALDERMAN ALDRIDGE SECONDED THE MOTION ADDING THAT HE TOO WANTS TO SEE THE TOWN MOVE FORWARD IN A POSITIVE DIRECTION AND THAT THE OLD AND NEW [COUNCIL MEMBERS] NEED TO WORK TOGETHER BECAUSE EVERYONE WANTS WHAT IS BEST FOR THE TOWN.

 

Alderman DeMeola stated that everyone should check their ego at the door when coming into Council Chambers as a public servant.

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

Zoning Board of Adjustment Issues

Council took public comment before going into closed session to discuss the letter from Mr. Ring’s attorney, Jeffrey Norris.

 

SEE ATTACHMENT 1

 

Phil Wight (1527 Soco Road) addressed Council asking why the Aldermen are in such a hurry and had to have a Special Called Meeting.  As a member, Mr. Wight stated that   the Zoning Board of Adjustment is a good professional board.

 

Dan Massey (Soco Road) asked that Council attend several meetings of the Zoning Board of Adjustment before making a determination. Mr. Massey felt Chairman Ring is a professional chairperson.

 

Shirley Pinto (3710 Soco Road) stated that the board members are meeting and talking before coming to the hearings. “Respect goes both ways; there are two sides to every story.”

 

James Carver (2804 Soco Road) addressed Council stating that Jay Ring does not treat the employees of the town right and that no one defends the employees.

 

Jay Ring (55 Bennett Drive) addressed Council stating that Mayor Pinter was at the meeting Mr. Carver is referring too. She did not see him attacking an employee. Mayor Pinter sees it as debate, not as an argument. Mr. Ring stated that he is a good debater.

 

“The debate was on an ordinance” and Mr. Ring felt he was arguing the points of law.  All meetings are taped so Mr. Ring felt Council should listen to the tapes in order to accuse him accurately not “half cocked”. 

 

Gail Shashy (80 McIntosh Lane) addressed Council stating that she was at the meeting and that Mr. Ring was out of line with the Planning Director, and has seen the Aldermen do the same thing to Pat Tilley.

 

Phil Wight (1527 Soco Road) added that he backs Jay Ring and that Jay researches all issues before coming to the meeting.  “Jay Ring is doing his job.”

 

Sonja Michels (Soco Road) stated that she feels the Zoning Board of Adjustment was helpful to her in dealing with her sign issue. Ms. Michels asked that the Aldermen let the Zoning Board of Adjustment do their job or not have a board at all.  

 

Jay Ring responded that Ms. Michels is not in the corporate limits. The Zoning Board had no choice but to refer her back to the Board of Aldermen.

 

The Zoning Board appointed Attorney Jeff Norris to write the letter.

 

Brenda O’Keefe (Soco Road) questioned how the Zoning Board could hire an attorney when the funds are not in the budget. “Are the Zoning Board members going to pay themselves? It is a concern to the taxpayers that a person can hire an attorney and send back such a letter.”

 

ALDERMAN MCELROY MADE A MOTION TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION TO DISCUSS LITIGATION WITH THE ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT.

ALDERMAN DEMEOLA SECONDED THE MOTION.

MOTION CARRIED.

 

Council went into closed session at 3:48 p.m.

 

ALDERMAN TAYLOR MADE A MOTION TO COME OUT OF CLOSED SESSION AT 4:35 P.M.

ALDERMAN DEMEOLA SECONDED THE MOTION.

MOTION CARRIED.

 

Council came out of closed session at 4:35 p.m.

 

ALDERMAN DEMEOLA MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN AT 4:38 P.M.

ALDERMAN MCELROY SECONDED THE MOTION.

 

 

 

          Mayor Jo Pinter                                               Town Clerk Vickie Best, CMC