Thursday, October 17, 2013 brought a full house for the Worth County Commissioner’s Meeting. However, no business was conducted. Chairman Mike Cosby and Commissioners Joe Gaines and Mack Sutton were absent. Gaines had reported several weeks prior to the meeting that he would not be present and Commissioner Sutton informed the clerk on Wednesday that he would not be present for the meeting because of a family emergency.
The chairman was called and it was reported that he was sick. He was called a second time, but again stated he would not be in attendance. Several community participants expressed their displeasure with the chairman after stating he had been seen several times earlier in the day at the courthouse. “In my 19 years of sitting on this board, this has never happened that we could not have a meeting because of the absence of the chairman or vice-chairman,” frustrated Commissioner Bettye Bozeman stated.
Chairman Cosby stated on the telephone that he had sent an email to the county clerk informing her of his absence, but according to her, she shows no record of having received it.
Mr. Bill Cash, a speaker on the evening’s agenda, asked the audience for a minute to speak with them after realizing an “official” meeting would not be held. “I was told that Chairman Cosby asked to have me removed from the agenda tonight but that cannot legally be done because I have a right to speak.” Mr. Cash further stated that he felt like Cosby intentionally did not come to the meeting because he knew the other two commissioners would not be present and he was able to block moving forward once more with the paving of Carlton Road.
Mr. Cash informed the audience there is a recall committee of which he is a part, and explained the procedure of having an official recalled. Cash stated there will be a county-wide meeting to discuss the reasons for the recall and allow the public to ask questions. That meeting has been scheduled for 7 p.m on Friday, November 1st at the Worth County Community Center (located next to Worth County High School)
Mr. Davis King, Sr. asked Mr. Cash why he thought the chairman was attempting to delay the paving of Carlton Road. Cash explained that in past meetings he delayed the process by not opening bids and now in his absence, they still could not be opened. Commissioner Billy McDonald agreed the delay on Carlton Road has gone on too long.
King told the crowd he doesn’t attend the commissioner meetings, but after following the newspaper lately, he felt it was time to finally come “see for myself if they are as comical as the paper makes it seem.” King expressed his displeasure with the chairman’s absence.
Before the crowd dispersed, Mr. Mike Shivoc read the complete letter of resignation provided to the county by Attorney Clarence Miller. According to Shivoc, the county should be very concerned when a county attorney resigns because some of the commissioners would rather make their own decisions instead of listen to the advice of the attorney.
The next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 5, 2013 at 9 a.m.
