Hawkins County – Gary Murrell, who is sole candidate for the Emergency Management Agency Director post, wooed a group of emergency responders at the Public Safety Committee meeting on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Hawkins County Mayor Crockett Lee was likely still fuming over the outcome of Monday’s Budget Committee meeting.
According to the Rogersville Review, Lee authorized $1,100 in overtime and $350 in fuel costs. The County Mayor’s office reports the money funded a trip to Florida, where county employees picked-up a military surplus vehicle. (I assume this was donated to the County through the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Reutilization, Transfer and Donation Program (R/T/D Program.) The county’s intention was to assign this vehicle to the new EMA Director.
The funding for the trip will be covered by transfers within the existing EMA budget, specifically from anticipated costs of medical insurance. In the end, it’s all just a matter of adjustments.
However, District 4 Commissioner Virgil Mallet is miffed. He seems to think Crockett put the cart before the horse by approving the expenditure without the Budget Committee’s knowledge or consent. With Mallet entering the sole nay vote, the budget committee recommended approval of the budget amendment. A resolution is scheduled to go before the entire Commission on Tuesday.
Also on the agenda, a resolution naming Murrell as the EMA Director. I do not foresee any surprises coming out of the commission. My guess: Murrell gets the position and the Florida funding gets a final nod.
Nevertheless, Mallet did pose an interesting question: “What will happen if the commission votes no?”
Could the commission could take issue with Lee exercising $1.450 worth of authority? If so, how will Lee reimburse the county?
I’d like to think that we, as a community, could come together and help Good Ol’ County Mayor Lee replace these funds. Therefore, if the commission should reject this amendment, I recommend we hold a fundraiser.
We could call it “Crockett’s Cart Fixin’ Festival.”
We would kick off the event with the First Annual Hawkins County Beer Run. (Oh c’mon, you knew it would be in here.) The race would, of course, start at the County Jail. For a small entry fee, participants could jog in orange jumpsuits to the nearest convenience store, grab a six pack and hoof it on back. Winner gets to drink the beer.
On the town square we could have entertainment. Music would be provided by Jim Bowman, who features Hawkins County in his music, and Benny Wilson just because I find him entertaining. Naturally, there would be games: P in the Tail on the Democrats, a Pie Toss for the Republicans, and a Dunking Booth for Don. Also a “Guess When Tony Moore will Get Movin’ on the Jail Complex?” might be worth considering.
For our finale, we shall have fireworks and a prize drawing. The lucky winner has the honor of giving Shane Bailey a wedgie. No particular reason. It just occurs to me that this would be funny.
So, don’t worry Mr. County Mayor sir. If the commission doesn’t pass this amendment… we’ll take care of the bill for you. Of course, we’ll need a little seed money for supplies and whatnot. I am not sure the Budget Committee would approve – but that shouldn’t a problem, right?
And shhh, don’t nobody tell Virgil, okay?
