The Franklinton Board of Aldermen and Mayor Greg Route met on Tuesday, November 12, at the Town Municipal Building. Following the invocation by Alderman TJ Butler, Jr. and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Alderwoman Patrice Crain, the Mayor asked to open the agenda to add a business item. The item was a motion to sell surplus equipment from the Franklinton Police Department. The item was added. Then, the minutes from the October 21 regular meeting and the minutes of the October 31 special meeting were approved.
In new business, the board voted to cancel the November 26 meeting and the December 24 meeting. Only Alderman Descant voted no for both items.
The Mayor then explained that there are two wrecked police units, and a buyer is interested in purchasing them. He further explained that the vehicles were wrecked several years ago. Town attorney James Knight explained that this will have to be advertised for sale and bids accepted. All board members approved this item.
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No one came forward to speak during public participation, so the meeting moved to Council Discussion. Alderwoman Crain asked that everyone be in prayer for the Town as there have been several unexpected deaths which are taking a toll on citizens. Aldermen Spears and Sharp echoed this and added that the holiday season is upon us and while loss is never pleasant, it seems harder during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons. Alderman Sharp added that he wanted everyone to remember Veterans as Veteran's Day was celebrated on November 11. Mr. Sharp also thanked Ricky Magee and Tanda Schilling for the flags located along the downtown area of Washington Street.
He urged everyone to have a pleasant Thanksgiving and spend time with family.
Alderman Descant reported that he recently spoke with town employee Justin Barber about the gas pumps for town usage. A representative from Robertson Oil checked it and said the meter is "off," but believes he can repair it. Moving forward, Descant suggested a new system with a pin number or card so that fuel usage can be better tracked. He is hopeful that repairing the meter will help put this on the right track.
Alderman Butler echoed the comments of the other council members and then spoke on local veterans. He recalled Bernis Burris and "Pop" McMasters who did not dodge their service and did not return home from Vietnam. He spoke of young men who managed to avoid service during the Vietnam conflict, but there were many from this area who served. He lamented that for the African Americans who served their country, they returned to Franklinton and had to "go in the malt stand on the side." Mr. Butler continued that Franklinton is a "nice little town" and he grew up here, but "let's try to think about the hometown boys who contributed."
In final comments, Mayor Route also thanked veterans. He then announced that some who made private donations to the proposed Chess Jones Road Park would like their money returned since the park will likely not become a reality. James Knight will look into the legalities and the Mayor told Clerk Ellen Waskom to be prepared to write checks asap.
On a personal note, the Mayor added that the recently concluded mayoral election was the worst election campaign he has ever experienced. He referred to Facebook videos by Alderman Descant and revealed that an email was sent to voters via Gmail that apparently spoke poorly of the Mayor. He does not have a Gmail account and felt it was sad for someone to stoop so low.
To Mr. Butler and Ms. Crain, he noted, "Be careful…it's coming."
On a positive note, the Mayor is proud of what he accomplished in the past four years. His last project is a $700,000 water project in the medical district which is in the beginning stages. He also applied for a six-million-dollar capital outlay project to pave all the streets in Franklinton, but it has yet to be funded.
With only one meeting left this year, the Mayor ended on a positive note. He announced that the FHS Special Olympics will be on Thursday, November 21 at 11:45 and congratulated all local football teams on making the playoffs. Mayor Route is an alum and longtime fan of Franklinton High School athletics and he would love to see another Superdome appearance by the FHS Demons.
