Wheeler calls for more Nicholson travel dollars
A Nicholson councilman called for the addition of more travel dollars for city officials in the proposed 2010 city budget.
At a meeting held last week, Chuck Wheeler said he thought the budget needed to add $10,000 for more city travel.
“I think we need to add $10,000 to travel, we are going places,” he said.
Wheeler suggested adding the $10,000 to travel and subtracting it from machinery.
Mayor Ronnie Maxwell presented a proposed budget totaling $405,000 for 2010.
“I cut 28 to 32 percent from the previous budget,” Maxwell said.
The proposed budget included $4,000 for travel, $3,500 for education and training and $42,632 for machinery.
Maxwell said he was against Wheeler’s idea to add more travel funds.
Wheeler made a motion to add $10,000 to travel and education expenses.
In the 3-1 vote, council members Howard Wilbanks and Lamar Watkins voted with Wheeler in favor of the change.
Council member Bobby Crawford voted against the motion.
“I will reserve the right to look at this if revenues don’t come in as projected,” Maxwell said.
Watkins said, “I think we need to cut back on what we spend on fireworks. $5,000 is a lot to blow up in the air.”
Maxwell advised the city spent approximately $3,500 last year on the event. Most of the money came from the Daisy Festival revenues, Maxwell stated.
Wheeler also questioned $26,000 in the budget for library books, DVDs and books on tape.
“I think that is a little high, $26,000 for books and periodicals,” Wheeler said.
Crawford said, “I would rather see us buy library books than go to Savannah.”
The council discussed holding three public hearings on the proposed budget. However, the city attorney checked and advised the council that only one public hearing is needed since the City of Nicholson does not collect a property tax.
The city council will hold a public hearing on the proposed budget at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 28, at city hall. The proposed budget is available for public inspection at city hall during normal business hours.
The city will vote on the budget at a meeting in February. The date for this meeting will be announced later.
“I think we need to add $10,000 to travel, we are going places,” he said.
Wheeler suggested adding the $10,000 to travel and subtracting it from machinery.
Mayor Ronnie Maxwell presented a proposed budget totaling $405,000 for 2010.
“I cut 28 to 32 percent from the previous budget,” Maxwell said.
The proposed budget included $4,000 for travel, $3,500 for education and training and $42,632 for machinery.
Maxwell said he was against Wheeler’s idea to add more travel funds.
Wheeler made a motion to add $10,000 to travel and education expenses.
In the 3-1 vote, council members Howard Wilbanks and Lamar Watkins voted with Wheeler in favor of the change.
Council member Bobby Crawford voted against the motion.
“I will reserve the right to look at this if revenues don’t come in as projected,” Maxwell said.
Watkins said, “I think we need to cut back on what we spend on fireworks. $5,000 is a lot to blow up in the air.”
Maxwell advised the city spent approximately $3,500 last year on the event. Most of the money came from the Daisy Festival revenues, Maxwell stated.
Wheeler also questioned $26,000 in the budget for library books, DVDs and books on tape.
“I think that is a little high, $26,000 for books and periodicals,” Wheeler said.
Crawford said, “I would rather see us buy library books than go to Savannah.”
The council discussed holding three public hearings on the proposed budget. However, the city attorney checked and advised the council that only one public hearing is needed since the City of Nicholson does not collect a property tax.
The city council will hold a public hearing on the proposed budget at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 28, at city hall. The proposed budget is available for public inspection at city hall during normal business hours.
The city will vote on the budget at a meeting in February. The date for this meeting will be announced later.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cronies - Definition in context) were voted in. Now you lead them regardless of public opinion on a matter like the dumb leading the dumber. Wake up Nicholson you are about to lose all the good that has been done in this little town by some greedy self serving puppets of Jimmy Ford.
And Jimmy, to answer your question, here is my OPINION. We the people of the city of Nicholson know that "there is nothing we can do about it"...because nobody in our city government cares about doing anything except what THEY want for themselves.
Its not about representing the people in the town, its about taking care of themselves and their buddies and their families. If you aren't on that list, you are just out of luck.
So no, we aren't going to waste our time showing up at the city council meetings when we already know that all it will accomplish is making us angry.
Been there, tried that, already know exactly how it works.
All the heat is on Chuck for his comment but what about Lamar and Howard for favoring his motion. I hope this alignment is not a return to the days when the town was stiffled by them following Chuck. Go Bobby Crawford off to a great start. Stand with Ronnie against junk like this.
Jimmy Ford who do you think reported this story? Could it be Jackson Herald was in Nicholson that night. duh
Leave the Library and fireworks alone !!!