Jackson County Park Board

A Special Call Meeting was held Thursday, March 3, 2011 at 5:00PM to discuss pending litigation in the matter of Jackson County Park Board vs Jackson County Commission. On the Park Board, as evidenced by the above photo, sets Jackson County Commissioner Horrace Clemmons who by virtue of 2 votes  ( http://arklite.blogspot.com/2010/07/county-commission-county-park-saga.html ) , his and one other, elected himself to the Park Board. Commissioner/Park Board Member Clemmons has been instrumental in attempting to abolish the Jackson County Park Board for the purpose of gaining control of the funds to be used for other purposes, including other parks.

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Today the Park Board voted to obtain an Attorney Generals Opinion concerning the issues related to the Jackson County Park. I wonder if there will be any mention to the Attorney General of the conflict concerning Mr. Clemmons in this situation.

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All postings concerning the Jackson County Park within this blog, including this one: http://arklite.blogspot.com/search/label/Jackson%20County%20Park

Jackson County Park Board--Violation of Open Meetings Law During Recess

The Jackson County Park Board meets on the 4th Wednesday of each month.

Mr. Clemmons, Park Board Member and County Commissioner seated at table end attempts to cover his face with documents. Mr Clemmons presence on the Park Board did bring out the press. The Daily Sentinel and The Clarion reporters were present. Related story concerning County Commission actions related to Mr. Clemmons: http://arklite.blogspot.com/2010/07/county-commission-county-park-saga.html

I met with Mr. Clemmons and Mr. Whisnant prior to the Park Board meeting suggesting to them the County Park Board issue could be resolved if they wanted. I suggested a moderated, not mediated, session where the County Park Board and the County Commission participates in a non-traditional but structured problem solving session with the public present in a setting such as Goosepond Civic Center. They were informed this type of setting could work if all would participate. Mr. Clemmons rejected the idea, Mr. Whisnant stated he thought that was what the mediation was about. Unfortunately some do not wish to resolve this problem without further costing the taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars in attorneys fees. Information on problem solving: http://www.thwink.org/sustain/deadlock/VirtuousPolitician.htm http://www.businessballs.com/brainstorming.htm http://www.qualitydigest.com/sept02/articles/02_article.shtml

The Jackson County Park Board meets every 4th Wednesday. The financial report was accepted and approved as submitted. Old Business and Mangers Report: 1) The Park Manager, Mr. Carl Barnes, reported that the shoreline repair along with other repairs would require a permit from the TVA. It was recommended that all permits for projects be combined so as to pay for only 1 permit fee which costs $1000. 2) Mr. Barnes reported there is a need to purchase a new lawn mower. 3) Discussion was made concerning the need for electrical repairs on "A" Dock.

New Business: 1) Approval was given to refund money to campers which had been held in escrow for those campers who had paid for camp spots not available due to the April 2009 storm. 2) Approval was given to place Speed Bumps in areas where safety concerns are evident to slow speeding vehicles. 3) Scotty Overdear was elected Secretary-Treasurer, Park Manager Carl Barnes was voted the authority to sign checks.

Scheduled speakers to the board on the published agenda: 1) Ms. Diamond Woodworth, discuss restaurant contract. The Jackson County Park Board adjourned for a recess to discuss in private the issues of a contract with Ms. Woodworth.

Mr. Whisnant, Park Board Chairman appointed park board members to discuss issues in secret and behind closed doors in regards to the restaurant contract. This secret meeting was not conducted in an Executive Session, the session was conducted during a break, a recess declared by Mr. Whisnant. The Park Board Memebers followed the instructions of Mr. Whisnant without questioning him on the legality of a secret meeting outside of an Executive Session, Mr. Clemmons was one of the Board Memebers adjourning into the secret session. The Board Attorney was present and said nothing. The Meeting reconvened after approximately 15 minutes, returning from the "recess." After the recess a discussion ensued concerning an audit and inventory of Restaurant Property. It was decided an audit would be conducted at the end of the fiscal year, September 2010. Commentary: It is obvious to this observer and writer the Open Meetings Act of Alabama was violated during the recess adjournment. There was no declared Executive Session as should have occurred, at least 2 Park Board Members participated in the secret meeting with Ms. Woodworth concerning the restaurant. Ms. Woodworth was scheduled on the published agenda.

2) Mr. Reb Engle spoke on behalf of the boaters and campers. He expressed their support and appreciation of the Jackson County Park Board.

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Jackson County Commission-County Park Mediation Fails. Mediation Request Disclosed.

Jackson County Courthouse.

Jackson County Park.

Once again the Jackson County Commission adjourned to go into a very lengthy Executive Session at meetings end Monday. Meeting time of the Executive Session was longer than the regular council meeting. Shh, we have secrets and we do not want the citizens to know what is happening, particularly with the County Park.

My sources tell me the 2 Commissioners present walked out on the mediation session with the Jackson County Park Board during last Thursday's Mediation at the County Park Boards Attorneys Office in Scottsboro. The following list was presented to the County Commission from the Jackson County Park Board: "1) Resend[Rescind] prior resolution passed by County Commission, working under an ominous board. 2) Abstain from interfering with day to day operations of Jackson County Park. If a Commissioner needs to address the Park Board, they should get on the agenda and address all park board members. 3) If a Commissioner wishes to speak to a [park] board member outside of his or her district, he or she should have that commissioner present. 4) Park Board will abide by all ADECA and TVA Rules. 5) Park Board wishes to continue operating with "Quick Books" and to have audits done by the Sate Examiner. 6) Park Board wishes to have same respect and be treated like all other Jackson county Boards. 7) Park Board would like to collect all titles on FEMA Campers that the commission has possession. 8) Park Board will assume responsibility of North Sand Mountain and Princeton Parks if necessary."

It appears the case will proceed to trial after legal review by the Court.

Other County Commission Business. Consent Agenda: 1) $6637.50 to Tennessee Valley Family Services for June 2010 approved. 2) $12753.40 was approved to pay Ladd Environmental Consultants for services during June 2010for the Jackson County Park.

Old Business: A motion was made and approved to Table a Park Board nomination by Commissioner Clemmons.

New Business: 1) Johnson Controls was awarded HVAC bid. 2) August 23,2010 Commission meeting was moved to August 19, 2010. 3) Approval for Back to School Sales Tax Holiday was approved. 4) Advertising was approved for the position of Heavy Equipment Mechanic for Public Works. 5) Lambert Construction was awarded bid for Jackson County Industrial Park Utility Project. 6) Jack Smiths Park Board nomination was tabled.

Executive Session was approved, I left for the City Council Meeting at 5:45, they were still in the Executive Session and had been there for 45 minutes. The County Attorney stated the reason for the Executive Session was for Good Name and Character.