At a public grievance hearing for the Clerk/Treasurer Ernest Barrentine, who was not reappointed in a 4-3 vote of council, Councilman Brian Mason made the statement that he was told by a council member that this member not going to show up at the hearing for a “circus.”
Before this editorial even begins, however, let’s acknowledge the following: 1) This was a one-year appointment, and council had every right not to reappoint if that is what they chose to do. 2) Council is not required as far as we are able to determine to give reasons for why they chose not to reappoint the clerk. 3) The grievance hearing was not a council meeting; however, it was a meeting about a decision that council had made and therefore, has bearing on the town. 4) The purpose of this editorial is not to say whether the action of council in not reappointing the clerk/treasurer was right or wrong as we do not know the reason(s) since there was no discussion by council at any public meeting.
Now, back to the “circus.” Whether or not the council felt like there was going to be a “circus” at the public hearing and even if they felt that the hearing was improper, each member still should have shown up to represent the people who elected them and to get as much information as possible. They didn’t have to say anything. They aren’t required to, but they should have been there. It’s a situation that they created by their actions, and by showing up, they demonstrate that they are not afraid to face the public, that they believe in and are proud of the decision that they made because they thought it was necessary and in the best public interest, and that they stand by their decision. Showing up means a great deal. It doesn’t mean they condone the hearing or what is going on, but it means that they feel that the citizens who elected them deserve the best representation they can give. Not showing up says a great deal also and not
showing up because there might be a “circus” is nothing but a “cop out.”
The Dillon County Council had a similar situation a couple of years ago when they terminated County Administrator Charles Curry, and not to revisit the correctness or incorrectness of their decision, one thing can be said of that council. They showed up. Every one of them showed up at multiple meetings. Every one of them showed up at the public hearing. Every one of them took “heat” in one way or another, but they were there each and every time to demonstrate to the public and to the citizens that each one of them felt they were right in the action they took. They deserve a lot of credit for that no matter what side they were on.
The citizens of Latta should expect no less from their council members. They should expect them to show up. They should expect them to be there. They are not elected to stay at home and avoid situations that might be difficult. They are elected not only to represent the people, but to face the people who elected them. They have every right to not speak at a hearing, but they should have been there to hear the information first hand because they are the final decision makers.
Also concerning is the fact that no discussion took place at the council meeting about this matter before the vote and yet four members just happened to vote not to reappoint the clerk. Council needs to be very careful to ensure that the public’s business is being done in public and not behind closed doors. Doing the public’s business in public does not just mean a public vote. It means a public discussion so the public who chooses to show up or to request the minutes or taped recordings can have the best understanding possible as to why a decision is being made. A 4-3 vote without any discussion could cause members of public to rightly or wrongly infer that some discussion has taken place prior to the meeting. This is never in the public’s best interest or in the spirit of doing the public’s business in the light. It may have been a coincidence. It may have been that four members really felt strongly and just happened to all vote the same way,
but it’s a hard coincidence or happenstance to accept when a vote is so close and on a matter that may turn out to be controversial.
Being a council member is not an easy job. No one disputes that, but it’s the job they were elected by the people to do, and it’s the responsibility they sought and accepted. Their obligation as council members means being there in good times and accepting the accolades, working hard to make the town the best it can be, getting the town through difficult times and being there and showing up when the circus comes to town.
