John Coffelt, Editor

During the Dec. 2 Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting, Vice Mayor Mark Messick’s motion to directly hire two serving interim directors to full time positions was superseded by the passage of a secondary motion to postpone the matter. 

Messick’s motion was made as a late addition during the new business portion of the meeting.

“We have two super employees who have worked with us for a long time,” Messick said. “I think we need to remove the terms “interim” (and make them) police chief and director of water and sewer.”

Assistant Chief Adam Floied and Assistant Director Lonnie Foley were named interim directors following the retirement of Police Chief Bill Sipe on Nov. 10 and Water and Sewer Director Jeffery Perry abrupt resignation at 12:40 p.m., Sept. 15.

While the Board voiced a mostly cohesive agreement on the pick, they felt a vote at this stage was premature.

“Something of such great public importance,” Alderman Julie Anderson said, “…should be something we do in an above-board way.”

Anderson noted that the public may want to comment on the matter and should be given the opportunity to.

Mayor Joey Hobbs asked Anderson if she wanted to make a motion to postpone, which she affirmed. The secondary motion to postpone, according to Robert’s Rules of Order, replaces an existing motion.   

Alderman James Threet confirmed with City Attorney Craig Johnson that the job positions should be posted.

Alderman Ryan French noted too that department heads work at the will of the Board. He also noted that the Board has appointed a department head in the past without a director’s search.

“I contend that if you feel that if these people can do the job and are serviceable, they can serve at your will,” French said. “If at any point that changes, you have the option to make a motion to change their status.”

Alderman Thomas Crosslin said while he supported both men for directors, he felt the city should follow the prescribed process.

The motion to postpone passed 4-2 with French and Messick voting no. 

The board approved 6-0 on each vote for job descriptions for a MPD evidence custodian, water department billing customer service coordinator, recreation administrative coordinator and a parks ground keeper.

John has been with the Manchester Times since May 2011. John has won Tennessee Press Association awards for Best News Photo and placed in numerous other categories. John is a 1994 graduate of Tullahoma High School, a graduate of Motlow State Community College and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Middle Tennessee State University. He lives in Tullahoma, enjoys painting, dancing and exploring the outdoors.