Ferrebee disagrees with Fox
Tempers flared during the most recent Paden City Council meeting, as Mayor Bill Fox’s committee appointments were announced.
Paden City resident Kathy Ferrebee spoke out in disagreement with the appointments to the city’s park and pool commission, one that she was hoping to be appointed to this month.
“For four months I have been repeatedly asked to be a part of the Park and Pool Commission. I am not sure why it has taken so long for you to make your decision when I have been ready to serve the City of Paden City since I was first approached,” Ferrebee remarked. “It seems to me that you (Mayor Fox) selectively choose who you want so they can meet your personal agenda and not what is best for the community.”
In defense of Ferrebee, Marsha Toman echoed her sentiments, calling the Mayor’s decision unfair. Ferrebee’s husband, Matt, asked the council to amend the commission’s bylaws giving council the right to vote on the Mayor’s appointments.
Councilman Richard Wright asked, “Doesn’t council vote on these appointments?”
Councilwoman Eileen Smittle replied, “No.”
According to the ordinance pertaining to appointments to the Park and Pool Commission, the Mayor reserves the right to appoint anyone he chooses. The amendment came after a number of people appointed to the committee did not attend meetings.
Though the argument ensued, Fox stood firm on his appointments and no further action was taken on the matter.
The committee appointments were as follows:
Sanitary Board, Mike Efaw and Fred Ferrebee; Development Authority, James “Cork” Bowen, Kimberly Frum and Thomas Martin; Library Board, Barbara Slider; and Park Commission, Cecelia “Dot” Sprouse, Pat Stillwagner, Richard Johnson and Dave Edwards.
In other business, the community patrol report was given for the Paden City Police Department, per Chief Michael Billiter.
According to the report, in the month of June, officers assisted two motorists, assisted other departments twice, assisted other agencies twice, unlocked three vehicles, issued 28 citations and patrolled 3,515 miles.
The following cases were heard in Paden City Court in June 1:
Andrew Laugh, 20, of 134 Wetzel Street, Paden City, pleaded guilty to no seat belt and fined $25. He also received a fine of $107 for going the wrong way on a one-way street and a fine of $182 for underage consumption.
Jason Henderson, 21, of 501 N. 9th Avenue, Paden City, failed to appear in court. Henderson was cited for an animal at large.
On June 15, the following cases were brought to city court:
Steve Matthews, 54, of 108 Leon Street, Paden City, failed to appear. He was cited for no insurance, no registration and failure to change his address.
Michael A. Glover, 19, of RR 2 Box 432 B, New Martinsville, was cited for an open container.
Susanne Mavety, 30, of 605 N. 7th Avenue, Paden City was cited for disorderly conduct and obstructing an officer.
Additionally, a building permit variance was granted at 327 S. 4th Avenue for the construction of a garage on the property line.
In a roll call vote, Gerald Bailey, Larry Potts, Glen Casteel, Tom Trader and Wright voted in favor of the variance; Smittle voted against granting the measure.
The next Paden City Council meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 2 at the city building.