Letters to the editor

Dear Editor:

I am submitting this letter to help inform the public of the actions of “their” city council. At the council meeting Monday night, Mayor Davis and the Board of Aldermen received an overflowing show of support for the current Police Department and it’s current personnel.

This was supported with numberous individuals speaking on behalf of the police department and their personnel. There was also a petition presented to the board to show the support of over 350 Gallatin citizens, who were demanding that the city council maintain the current police department and personnel. The city council after hearing the citizens concerns about loosing the officers on staff and after seeing the petition in front of them, voted to fire the city police officers. That in it’s self shows just how much the city council cares about it’s citizens opinions and concerns.

As a citizen who wants to be represented by the council of which I helped elect, I am appalled at the shear disrespect and lack of concern that the council showed by making the decision to fire Chief Watson and Officer Price not to mention the unjustified suspension of Officer Jurrens that led to his resignation. As the city council, they are to listen to the people who elected them, not to go off on their own agendas and put our city in jeopardy by making foolish and rash decisions. The budget is just a part of the city council’s job, above all else, they are to represent the citizens views and make decisions that will better the city.

With all the hearsay, comments, and improper statements from members of the Board of Aldermen, I have not heard one reason why any of these dedicated officers were fired! The city administrator only states that most of the reasons will never be known because of legality issues. As a citizen of Gallatin, I find that answer unacceptable, and just adds to the implication that they (Mayor, Board of Aldermen, and the city administrator) are unjustifedly using our city as a means of settling their own personal issues.

We the citizens need to show the Mayor, Board of Aldermen, and city administrator that we are tired of not being listened to. I want to see that we have a police department that is competent and well trained, as we had prior to Tuesdays unjustified firing of our officers. I believe that until our city council realizes that they are there to represent the citizens of our community, that they will continue to satisfy their own agendas at the city’s expense. I will not be satisfied until the city council represents the citizens nor should any of you.

Thank you,Jason Smith

Dear Editor:

The following letter was written and to be read by myself at the Oct. 25 city council meeting. I wish again the city council would believe in something, at least standup for themselves. I tried to shorten it down to the three-minute time limit I was given, if I had only known they would pull something like this I would have been better prepared. I feel the people who asked me to speak on their behalf were let down by me and for that I am very sorry. I know the council does their best to do what they can but you would think that the people in this town and their concerns would come first. I guess not, they would not answer A simple question. That alone told a lot of us what kind of council we have. I would like to thank the sheriffs department for taking time out of their lives to be there. As well as everyone who showed up.

I feel as if we were put off again and will remain to be put off and unheard as long as we have the council we have now. I expect the may to respond to the following questions at the next city council meeting. I am also mailing him a copy of this letter.

My letter read:

Even though there are several issues we would like to talk about we will limit our time to these only.

The sunshine laws were set in place to promote open government and public access.

We are here tonight to voice our opinion the way, you the city council have been ignoring our civil rights.

I was asked to speak on behalf of several citizens of this community on this topic, because I believe in this topic, and believe these laws should be honored at all times.

I have not been to many meetings of the city council do to lack of time and my trust that you were doing your job honestly.

When I was told that 911 was brought up a meeting on Sept. 27 the remarks made by councilman Larry Barnes that 911 should not exist. I called city hall for the minutes of that meeting. I was told they would not be available till the next meeting. I informed her this was an illegal act, she then informed me a request must be filled out.

Upon arrival, I was ignored by the city clerks that knew what I was there for, so I made a request to see the city administrator, I asked him if this was said about 911 (he stated yes but not in open forum).

He also stated that what ever I had heard from Dona Jurrins was not correct. As of that time I had no details from Mrs. Jurrins of the meeting. I made my request for the minutes and I did receive an incomplete copy on Oct. 1.

As read in the newspaper I believe Larry Barnes did make this comment well in to open session. When he made remarks about the police dept. also.

I attended the meeting on Oct. 12 along with 27 other people that had concerns, but where told before the meeting started that they would not be allowed to speak that night.

When asked why? The Mayor stated that the meeting will not run past 10 p.m. and if we where not on the agenda we would have to wait till the next meeting. And that the meeting was going to be held up for lack of quorum, there were two councilmen and the mayor already on hand of a board of 5.

When the meeting got underway minutes were approved without discussion, even though it was voiced to do so.

We packed the room with people and no setting was available, people were left standing outside in the driveway. And when you went to closed session we all stood outside in the same driveway for an hour.

When asked later in open session why we were not accommodated. You said you couldn’t move the meeting. Why?

I requested the minutes of this meeting the morning of Oct. 13 the minutes are required by law to be available to the public 72 hours after the meeting ends that would have been Oct. 15 at 9:17 p.m. Friday night so I waited till Monday morning Oct. 18 at 12:34 p.m. they still weren’t done, I was finally able to get an incomplete copy of the minutes again at 4 that afternoon.

On Oct. 21 at 1 p.m. there was a meeting for closed session. Rumors around town said that Larry Barnes was going to have Todd Watson fired. Then a letter attached to police dept. door said for Todd and Darren to both to be in the police dept. at 1:30 and wait for the council to talk to them. With that 35 of us gathered to hear the outcome. To our surprise the council left right after the meeting. We asked the police dept. to go to Jason and find out if we still had a police dept. Upon arrival in Jason’s office we found Jason and Bill Louise the city attorney. When asked what the meeting was about Bill Louise said something about abatement laws? It was asked why the meeting was held up on the third floor what about the handicapped? We were told it was a closed meeting with no citizen discussion anyway.

A lot of things were said to no avail.

Questions for the council:

1. Did Mr. Barnes make reference about 911 and what was the remark?

2. Did Mr. Barnes make remarks about not needing the police dept. and their lack of dedication?

3. Did any of the council stand up for the police dept? And why not.

4. Did Mr. Barnes ask in open session that Mrs. Jurrins not attend the meeting?

5. Why are the minutes always delayed and never correct. And always incomplete?

6. Why at the Oct. 12 meeting didn’t you change lcoations? As the sunshine law tells you to do so, as amended in 1998.

7. Why was the minutes not allowed to be discussed before approval last meeting? (Roberts rule of order)

8. Why were we not allowed to speak in our own meeting on Oct. 12? Until later when you knew some people would have to leave? And what about the rights and feelings of the people who did leave early, do you care?

9. On Oct. 20 why was the meeting held on the third floor which can not accommodate the handicap? And why were the people that were on hand waiting for the meeting to start, denied access to the open part of the meeting on the 20th? Even if it is only to hear the vote to go to closed. We have the right and it was violated again.

10. Why did the council leave as soon as the meeting was over on the 20th? And why was the sheriff called when the cities police dept. was already on hand? Do you feel you don’t have an obligation to the citizens of this town that wanted to talk to you, after they had been waiting and interrupting their lives for over an hour?

11. Was abatement laws really discussed in the meeting on the 20th? (Isn’t that an open session item).

12. We do not wish to imbaeris you, or put you on the spot, all we are asking is that.

1. You do your job with honesty, integrity, lawfulness and openness or

2. Those who feel they can’t, step down so we the people can find the type of person who can.

Tim Andrew

Dear Editor:

The reason I’m encouraged to write this letter is because we had a speaker today at school talking about drugs and alcohol. The speaker caused me to think about the use of these substances.

Todd Watson was police chief for two years with a five-man department with virtually no trouble. Major difficulties have emerged since the last election in April. The current police department has been excellent in working with school authorities to help head off potential problems.

Within six months they were down to a three-man department. One of those was suspended with no reason given to date. Issues that are being brought up show a true conflict of Gallatin law enforcement and law enforcement in general.

We need to prevent problems before they start; eliminating our police department would be a decision we would regret. Let’s not wait until there is a robbery, kidnapping, or murder in Gallatin to decide that our police department is important. Controlling drugs and alcohol is a difficult enough task. Imagine how much more difficult it would be with no police department or an uncooperative one. If this problem concerns you, perhaps it’s time to support the officers we have. This is simply food for thought.

Sincerely,Mandy Spencer, GHS Senior

Dear Editor:

Although it is overdue, I feel it is time someone write in support of our city council and administrator. When this council/administrator began their terms, this city was deep in debt and turmoil. Now it seems that there is finally progress toward getting the city back on track.

As far as complaints about our current council are concerned, the citizens elected our aldermen. If one of the aldermen doesn’t serve as well as we believe he should, do not reelect him or her. This is the democratic process.

However, there has already been an agreement by all concerned to hire another police officer to get the police force much-needed assistance. So why are the efforts and energy of the police force being wasted attacking the council instead of aggressively seeking personnel? Maybe Chief Watson is correct in his statement that four officers are needed, but in the meantime, wouldn’t three be better than two?

The current administration has gotten our city out of debt. If they are allowed to focus on finances, maybe in the future we can afford to pay police officers more. But what kind of police department would we have if the city goes broke?

As a tax-paying citizen of Gallatin, I am more concerned about losing an administrator that cares about this town and is capable of helping Gallatin thrive in the future.

Shonna Morrison

Dear Editor:

I just finished reading the article about “Planting Trees, Planning Peace,” and of course I was very surprised when I came to the paragraph about nurseryman Ivan Wilder. As I continued to read the following two paragraphs, I began to smile and I began to think about the last paragraph even more.

I thought of the two rock crushers that my father set up (one north on Hwy. 13 and the other one just south of Hwys. 6 & 13 east of town). I thought of all the wrought iron that he made and installed on many homes in Gallatin, the bell tower of the Christian Church, bell tower at the football field, the concrete modification work that was done at the power plant to enable the engine change, various concrete sidewalks throughout Gallatin.

All of the trees that I know of that he planted in Gallatin and also Lake Viking. The floor supports that were provided for the Publishing Company, hundreds of trucks that were modified, and most of the farmers that called on my dad to do their blacksmith work for them as well as shoeing their horses.

Darryl, I could go on with other work-related experiences and talent that my father had, but that is not the reason that I’ve written to you. I just wanted you to know that I read all three paragraphs about Dad and I want to thank you for remembering him. God bless you.

Franklin Wilder