By Susan Lamb Riverbend News
The Tuesday, July 13, Live Oak City Council meeting was filled with unexpected events, including the resignation of the city’s public works director and a council member allegedly using profanity in talking to his female council member.
It was a seemingly embarrassing moment for all citizens and officials at the meeting and brought the police chief and mayor quickly to the front of the room to confront the male council member, as the chairman hammered the gavel and called for an immediate recess.
Live Oak Mayor Frank Davis was among the first to race across the room during the upheaval to calm down Live Oak City Council Member David Burch, who represents the city’s District 2.
The audio recorded by City Clerk John Gill’s department indicates there was an argument between Burch and City Council Member Lynda Owens, District 3, who were arguing about a matter Owens brought to the council to address two employees who she said were illegally hired by a former city manager. During the outburst, Owens muttered words that are not 100 percent audible, while Burch also continued to utter inaudible words, according to the official audio. Owens could be heard laughing and said, “This boy is just ridiculous,” while Chairman Mark Stewart asked the council to let City Manager George Curtis look into Owens’ suggestion. It was at this point Owens stopped laughing and was heard on the audio to say, “This boy’s gone crazy,” before Owens began to repeat over and over, “You called me a b***h? You called me a b***h?”
Mayor Davis, a former Live Oak City Councilman, lawyer and ordained minister, was assisted by Live Oak Police Chief Keith Davis in ushering Burch away from the council’s seating at the front of the room and into the lobby where Burch yelled at a Riverbend News reporter to not take his photo. Davis also returned to the meeting area to speak with Owens.
Meanwhile friends, family and citizens at the event comforted Owens who was visibly upset and remained inside the council meeting room. Some in attendance remained seated while other citizens left the building.
Owens had brought to the council a matter regarding what she said was illegal hiring of two employees. Owens said these particular employees were appointed by a previous city manager illegally. She further said without the council voting to legally hire them, they were not legally employed.
Council Chairman Mark Stewart tried to work out a solution to fix the employment matter, and Owens, who had not been elected yet when the hirings took place, brought forward a motion for a vote, insisting the matter be taken care of by a council vote. Owens said only the City Council is authorized to hire anyone for city employment. Owens added the second city employee hired, a female, had been given more raises than should have been given and asked for the last merit raise to be removed.
During the discussion, Owens told Third Circuit State Attorney John Durrett, who was present on another matter, that he had his work cut out for him as he likely will be investigating this matter. “It was brought to our attention that these two were not approved (it was before my time on the council),” Owens said. Owens made a motion to ratify the female employee’s hiring and take away the employee’s last merit raise because, she said, the previous city manager appointed these positions without the approval of the council. “It’s not favoritism, but it’s about being right,” Owens stated. Her first motion to deny the last merit raise died for lack of a second. She continued to seek a vote to ratify the employment and take away the woman’s last merit raise, which did not get a second.
A motion and second to ratify the female employee to her position with her current salary finally passed 3-1, with Owens against because she wanted the last merit raise rescinded. Council Member Robintina Reed had left earlier and was not present to vote.
An approval vote was passed on the resignation of Andy Townsend, Live Oak Public Works Director, who resigned at the beginning of the meeting. In his resignation he handed out to each council member, Townsend said, “So, it is with a heavy heart that I must submit my letter of resignation, effective immediately, due to the actions of a few council members who do not appreciate all the effort, work and knowledge I bring to the city.”
Owens then brought up item 2C on the agenda regarding consideration of hiring an Information Technology (IT) position. “We are so far behind here in this city. Applications. You are still using paper applications. Come on people…if you want to be up to date with things, we’ve got to do these things,” Owens said. Burch said an IT person might be needed, but it costs money, and he didn’t support hiring a full-time IT person. “I’m not into taking taxpayer’s money increasing government,” he stated.
Stewart questioned City Manager George Curtis about the need for an IT person. Curtis said the city might need someone for more hours than what is currently provided. Recently the city was given a great report for its 2020 financial audit but was advised it needs to make sure city computer information is safe and protection is up to date 100 percent so cyber criminals cannot get into city computer records, hack them then demand a huge payment to give it back.
Curtis advised he would look into it and bring some information in the future.
It was at this point when two council members, Burch and Owens, began arguing loudly and the meeting was shut down temporarily. Once things calmed down, the meeting resumed with no further problems.