Contention persists in Garfield

GARFIELD — Over the past several months, contention in Garfield city governance has resulted in the turmoil at City Hall.

City attorney Joann McCracken resigned in 2014.

Former city clerk Merlene Snoderly resigned Dec. 31, 2014.

City employee Mickey Kelley resigned in August 2015.

Alderman Malania Carter resigned in April 2016.

City recorder Teresa Vining walked out of the June council meeting in tears. Mayor Gary Blackburn said alderman Dale Watkins said something critical to Vining.

Alderman Katherine Shook walked out of the June meeting about 30 minutes after it began.

Twice the Planning Commission has arrived at City Hall only to find locked doors and no place to meet. Once, the meeting was held on the curb out front of City Hall. The second time, the group went to a nearby building.

Carter, in her resignation letter, blamed the contention and lack of professionalism from the mayor.

Alderman Shook said she walked out of the June meeting because the mayor did not provide her with the documentation necessary to make a decision on the water rate question.

“I walked out because the mayor didn’t provide me with documentation about a water rate increase resolution (for 19 cents/1,000 gal- lons) leading me to believe we’d be discussing the water rate ordinance for 30 cents, which he had vetoed last month because he (Blackburn) stated it was too low. We approved a lower rate. That’s confusing,” Shook said.

She also said the mayor said the meeting did not have to be recorded after the city recorder walked out.

“He claimed I misled people about the acceptable water-loss percentages,” Shook said. “There was too much conflict, confusion and lack of professionalism.”

Alderman Shook said she received a letter on city letterhead without a signature stating that her walking out of the June council meeting was “a display of conduct unbecoming that of an elected official.” She said she believed the letter came from the mayor. Blackburn said Shook was the only person who should know about the letter. When asked what he hoped to achieve with the letter, he said the letter speaks for itself.

The letter states Shook “became argumentative and generally stirred up bad feelings and divisiveness … your behavior did not demonstrate respect, kindness, consideration, and courtesy for your fellow members of the city council.”

The letter also states Shook “made belligerent, personal, and disparaging comments concerning another council member’s opinion.”

Shook said she recorded the meeting, and that the mayor’s accusations are false.