We have provided the complete audio from the Caruthersville City Council meeting held Monday, October 16, 2017
Highlights from the meeting are detailed below:
8:15 Mayor talks about Liberty Utilities filing of a rate increase of $9.51 plus tax to each account, each month. Anticipated rate hearing will be in February 2018.
14:05 Police Chief Tony Jones gives an update on the 2 escapees from the Pemiscot County Jail. The 2 suspects were seen on camera crossing in front of the water department on Third Street and going in over the levee. Caruthersvillle Police are searching along with the Pemiscot County Sheriff Department, Dunklin County Sheriff Department, New Madrid county Sheriff Department, Missouri Highway Patrol, Missouri Conservation Department and Kennett Police Department. Helicopters are flying tonight (Monday) and Sunday night using flare system and heat sensing, Chief Jones thinks the suspects have been pushed north. The suspects are 2 white males. Chief Jones wants to remind citizens that if they notice anything suspicious to notify police immediately and they will come check things out. Suspects did climb through an air duct then beat a door lock loose, the alarm sounded when the door opened. The suspects ran out of the back of the jail, climbed the fence and ran north on Carleton avenue. This is the first time suspects have escaped from this County Jail. US Marshall’s are also in the area interviewing relatives and friends of the suspects.
17:45 Councilperson Bullington, also school superintendent, added that the schools will be on complete lock down until the suspects are apprehended. School staff has been directed to implement crisis plan which includes all clasroom and office doors remain locked at all times.
19:10 Councilperson Hood made a motion for city to approve the Fire Department to purchase of 1984 Ford 50 foot ladder truck from Dexter Fire Department for $20,000. Councilperson raised concern about the city’s budget. Council has put $200,000 worth of projects on hold because of the decline of revenue. Motion was not approved, 4 no’s, 3 yes’, 1 abstain.
39:50 Librarian Teresa Tidwell invites everyone to the Library next Tuesday at 6 pm for the annual Halloween story time. There will be goodie bags for the kids.
Business from the floor
43:30 Tom Tidwell spoke first. He read the Oath of Office that all city officials take. Then stated he has never seen as much turmoil within the citizens and within the city administration. Mr Tidwell feels the mayor has not performed the oath of office and he asked the mayor to resign or take a leave of absence until lawsuit against the city is resolved. Mr Tidwell also stated he has a petition for recall election that all citizens are welcome to sign.
City Council Lawrence Dorroh did state that since there is pending litigation against the city regarding the mayor alleged conduct the city will not comment.
47:20 Councilperson Bullington asked Attorney Dorroh if he could clarify if the city council could place mayor on administrative leave. Attorney Dorroh stated there is no statutory provision for administrative leave status. Any administration leave would have to be consensual and voluntary. Only option would be a recall election which Mr Tidwell indicated he has already started or impeachment by city council with a 2/3 majority vote.
50:10 Councilperson Cartee asked mayor if “he thought at this time with the allegations and lawsuit against city that he should step down until this is cleared up?”
Attorney Dorroh states that he represents the city not the mayor. The mayor has his own legal representation.
50:45 Councilperson Meredith states that he agrees with Councilperson Cartee that the mayor needs to consider stepping down. Merideth believes it would be in the best interest of the city.
52:15 Tom Tidwell asks another question directed to the mayor. If the city is being sued and the mayor is not named in lawsuit, why does he have independent council. Mayor doesn’t comment a response.
53:10 Councilperson Duckworth makes statement to mayor to be sure to think long and hard about what will be the best thing for the city.
53:40 Councilperson Bullington asks mayor to consider taking a voluntary leave of absence until legal matter is over.
Council then goes into closed session.
55:15 When open session resumes 2 of the men in the front row who have been filming the meeting introduced themselves as Jonah from New York and Ryan from California. These men are photographers/film makers and are working on a film project. The coast has a misrepresentation of middle america. They are here until Thursday.
57:40 Councilperson Meredith makes motion to approve the council seeking outside legal council to pursue and move forward with the impeachment process of Mayor Mike McGraw. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Cartee and all councilperson’s voted yes. Followed by loud applause from the audience.