SPRINGFIELD – Tempers were short and the debate heated at Springfield Town Council’s regularly scheduled council meeting Monday night, with residents lining up behind either Mayor Marilyn McCormick or Councilwoman Lydia Lackey.

Lackey accused the mayor of entering contracts without letting council know first.

McCormick, Councilman Eddie Lee and Mayor Pro Tem Hattie Wood voted to delay considering the accusation until next month’s council meeting. Proper procedure must be followed in council meetings, and the allegations were made improperly, according to McCormick.

“Allegations must be presented to me in full detail in writing to be turned in to the town’s attorney for a complete review,” the mayor said. “The town’s attorney will advise the council at next month’s meeting in executive session.”

Monday’s accusation comes after a long, drawn-out battle between her and the mayor, according to Lackey. She said McCormick had taken various actions that are contrary to town law.

Lackey claims the mayor has signed contracts on her own without the council knowing about them. The contracts were not brought before the council or the public at all, the councilwoman claimed.

Lackey said McCormick had authorized major expenditures for big-ticket items, including the security system for the old Springfield School and the furniture in the town hall. She also permitted committees to make decisions that properly belong to council, Lackey claimed. All of those actions are the prerogatives of the council, she said.

According to Lackey, Section 2.13 of Springfield’s ordinances states that all permanent improvements or capital investments must be authorized by the council.

“I’ve read our town ordinances back and forth. I try to stay on top of that because it’s our law,” Lackey said.

According to McCormick, Springfield has a mayor-council form of government. McCormick says she bases her authority for making decisions on Section 5-9-30 of the South Carolina code, which gives the mayor a broader role in the city government in areas such as hiring, firing and appointing municipal and administrative employees.

She said she confers with the Municipal Association and the town’s attorney, James Walsh, to insure that her actions are legal and proper.

Resident John W. Baxley challenged McCormick to produce a copy of the town’s ordinances and called for transparency in government.

“I have asked for the town ordinances for almost two years,” he said. “I have not received the town ordinances. Apparently, the council members and the mayor don’t know what’s in the town ordinances, and I suspect that’s the reason they don’t want them touched. ... I think there are things that are being hidden. There’s only one reason for things being hidden. It means you don’t want people to see it.”

The town is not required by law to provide a copy of the ordinances to any citizen, McCormick said. A copy of the ordinances is always available in the town hall and anyone can read them there, she said.

Baxley said residents have the right to look at the records and see where Springfield’s money is going and how much town employees are being paid.

“I know one thing. When you (McCormick) went into office, there was $50,000 in savings. There’s not $50,000 there now. I’d like to know where it’s gone,” Baxley said.

McCormick said she would explain where the money was spent at the next meeting.

The town hall was filled to capacity with townspeople, whose feelings were running high.

An unidentified resident complimented the mayor and council on the town’s appearance. She questioned Lackey about her credentials and suggested the councilwoman consider leaving town.

“All the questions you throw at Marilyn does not impress me one bit,” the resident said. “You’re not so smart … you don’t care two hoots about this town or its people. ... If you cannot be a team player, butt out. … With all your knowledge and experience, Springfield might be a little small for you. Maybe you should consider moving.”

Taking the other point of view, Baxley defended Lackey.

“I would like to say to all the persons that are castigating Councilman Lackey, she’s doing a fantastic job and there’s no doubt in my mind about that,” he said.

According to Baxley, Lackey is doing her best to see that the town’s business is carried out following proper procedures that will give the public the knowledge about what the council is doing.

“Ms. Lackey is trying to get things transparent and until there is some transparency in this town, there’s not going to be any trust,” he said.

Also during Monday’s meeting, resident Pat Chavez presented council with a petition on behalf of former police chief Bing Jones, who was fired by McCormick last month.

Jones, who has said the mayor told him he was being fired for insubordination, has not been replaced, and the petition calls for his reinstatement. He had served as Springfield police chief for five years.

McCormick declined to say whether she would consider reinstating Jones. She said there are proper channels to follow in presenting petitions and the petition was not handled properly.

In other business:

Council voted to reappoint the city’s municipal judge, Steve Morrone. Lackey, however, said she felt other people should have been given the opportunity to apply for the position.

Council, with the exception of Lackey, voted to accept the financial report. Lackey said the income and expenses on the financial statement did not agree with the figures on the month/year-to-date statement.

Council voted to exchange a parcel of land owned by the town with one owned by Dorothy Fogle. Both plots were just under an acre.

Council voted to accept the refurbishing of the senior center as its next project. Wood said there was no money currently available to carry out the project and repairs would have to wait until the town can come up with the money.

Lee reported the police department issued 26 tickets, 111 warnings and handled one assault in April.

T&D Correspondent Dale Linder-Altman can be reached by e-mail at jerryanddale@lowcountry.com. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

You must be logged in to comment.