For those that do not know.... At the council meeting on August 8th which went for over 3 hours, some interesting yet very concerning things transpired. Where do I begin? With 4 council members present, a decision was made to give council free medical benefits that equal over 60,000.00 per year of the taxpayers money! This is on top of their already 1200.00 plus "salary" each month. Oh and they feel they deserve a 3% increase in the form of a COLA! That equates to over 100.00 per hour of their time, who makes that in Freeport or even the county? No wonder people want to be in council!
Then the Parks Director informed them that a grant from DEP was awarded to the city, over 190,000.00 for a new trail and fitness area but that papers needed to be signed and sent in by the 11th to proceed. Nothing was said! Not one motion! They were willing to sit there and let over 190,000.00 be declined! It took the director, citizen and legal comment to allow the paperwork to move forward! What small City in America turns down grant funding?
Then at the end of the 3 hours, councilman Farris states that he felt Freeport needed to go in a new direction and made a motion to terminate the parks director! It received a 2nd from Elizabeth Brannon and the vote carried by majority with Amanda Greens vote. The Mayor spoke up commending the job performance of the director, saying that she performed above and beyond and had received exemplary evaluations and that he did not understand. Then there were heated comments from the public. Now citizens are calling and complain in Support of the terminated director, who has applied for and received over 850,000.00 in grant funding for the city, increased programs, took care of all of the parks and the public pool, lead the strategic planning process for the city, and was instrumental in the new web site. Talk about public humiliation and targeting!
So for those that voted for the NEW Direction, job well done! You have accomplished the halt in the progress and future of Freeport, you should be so proud!
Then the Parks Director informed them that a grant from DEP was awarded to the city, over 190,000.00 for a new trail and fitness area but that papers needed to be signed and sent in by the 11th to proceed. Nothing was said! Not one motion! They were willing to sit there and let over 190,000.00 be declined! It took the director, citizen and legal comment to allow the paperwork to move forward! What small City in America turns down grant funding?
Then at the end of the 3 hours, councilman Farris states that he felt Freeport needed to go in a new direction and made a motion to terminate the parks director! It received a 2nd from Elizabeth Brannon and the vote carried by majority with Amanda Greens vote. The Mayor spoke up commending the job performance of the director, saying that she performed above and beyond and had received exemplary evaluations and that he did not understand. Then there were heated comments from the public. Now citizens are calling and complain in Support of the terminated director, who has applied for and received over 850,000.00 in grant funding for the city, increased programs, took care of all of the parks and the public pool, lead the strategic planning process for the city, and was instrumental in the new web site. Talk about public humiliation and targeting!
So for those that voted for the NEW Direction, job well done! You have accomplished the halt in the progress and future of Freeport, you should be so proud!