Conflict continues in Red Bay

By Staff
Jonathan Willis FCT Staff Writer
At Monday night's meeting, the Red Bay city council began 2005 the same way they ended 2004: Feuding over the sale of a 2000 Chevrolet Tahoe.
Council member Ann Wilkins asked Mayor Tommy Nelson if he had brought the council all paperwork related to the transfer of the vehicle from the city to the Red Bay Water and Gas department and its subsequent sale two weeks ago.
Wilkins questioned why the matter never appeared in the city council minutes, which led Nelson to respond that he never wanted to discuss the matter again.
With a standing-room-only crowd on hand, Nelson's wife read a prepared statement to defend her husband from personal attacks she alleges have been made in the community.
Wanda Nelson said that her husband has received an outpouring of support for the job that he has done over the last eight years as mayor.
Also speaking to Monday night's crowd was former mayor Orville Parker, who served in the town's top job from 1984-1988.
In the small amount of actual city business conducted during the 90-minute meeting, the council voted to extend the city's cable television contract with Vista 3 Media, who has purchased the former holder of the city's cable rights, Galaxy Cable. The contract will be an extension of seven years, bringing the total length of the contract to 10 years.
The council also listened to Bryan Galyon of North Star Ambulance Service as he addressed concerns made by the council at its last meeting. Galyon said that the city is receiving quality services from the company, despite recent complaints made by some local residents.
In personnel matters, the council hired Adam Smith and Lesley Adams to the city's police force and announced that city inspector Bob Hardin had resigned from his position.
The council will meet again on Jan. 17 at 7 p.m.