Chadbourn Town Council members will now be able to use the back doors of the town hall during meetings, but they will not have unfettered access to town staff offices or the police department.
Councilman Danny Clewis asked that the agenda item be added Tuesday. Mayor Pro Tem Tony Jordan seconded Clewis’ motion to grant full access to the board. Avala Nealy voted for the measure, while Colene Faulk and Rashad Roberts voted against it. Mayor Phillip Britt and town staff objected to a previous proposal to give council more access to the offices.
RaMonda Crosby, who serves as town clerk, human resources director and finance director, told the board that she was opposed to the measure, saying a member of the board had “attacked” her job when the board member entered the office.
Faulk and Roberts both said they did not want cards if the measure was approved.
“You’re opening the door to suspicion,” Roberts said. “I’m not saying anybody is going to do anything, but you’re putting yourself in that conversation.”
Jordan emphasized that he never intended for council to go inside the building at any time other than for board meetings.
Clewis said he has been refused permission by a front desk worker to see Town Manager David Wise. He did not have an appointment or let staff know he was en route.
“We’re the governing body elected by the people,” Clewis said. “We should not be denied access to go back there and speak with the town manager.”
A previous effort to allow councilmembers access to the entire building was eventually set aside, largely due to concerns over security at the police department.
During discussion of the plan, Crosby spoke up and asked to speak to the board. Crosby is currently on medical leave due to stress.
“With your current situation,” Britt said, “since you’re not working tonight – “
“This is a part of why I need to speak against them having keycards, sir,“ Crosby said.
Crosby described how a member of the board came into the administrative wing when the town manager was not in the office. She said she was alone in the rear area of the building, and the council member “attacked me for doing my job.” She did not identify the board member or say when the incident occurred.
Crosby said the board member then called for closed sessions to discuss “my character” and job performance. Crosby also asked that if the council was going to be given unrestricted access to the administrative wing, there should be “a police officer” assigned to that side.
After the council voted 3-2 in favor of the keycards, Wise suggested that he make the rear entrances to the building available to council members before council meetings.
“That’s all I wanted,” Jordan said. Britt then noted that the board couldn’t erase the earlier vote, but could adopt a replacement measure. Roberts made the motion, which was seconded by Jordan. Faulk cast the only negative vote.
In other action, the board voted to allow YahYa’s Seafood a non-conforming use permit, allowing Antonia Jackson to operate in a residential neighborhood. The board unanimously approved the measure.
