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I'm sure most of you know about the oak tree on N Palmetto Dr. that was poisoned a while back. If you do not remember or would maybe like more information, give me a call.
This tree was cut down approximately 3 weeks ago. My wife, Ruby, called the P,B & Z Department and talked to Angie Poston and was told there was not a permit issued. I don't know how changing the Tree Ordinance will help at all if the current ordinances are not being followed. I believe the property owner of PIN 45914030037 - James Paradeses, be charged with the unlawful removal of a tree. If he didn't authorize the removal he should find the people responsible for trespassing on his land and cutting the tree down.
Thank you,
LaVerne Kreklau
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The following is a partial list, in no particular order, of what I would have liked to accomplish during my four years on council.
First I will congratulate this council on finally putting forth a plan for pay increases other than cost of living pay increases. I did a comprehensive pay study almost two years ago that I shared with the council at that time. Fundamentally I don’t believe there were many differences between my study and the one council paid $30k for. In my opinion, the conclusion of the recent pay study that the town needs to pay more is not necessarily true. One point that the recent study and my study agreed on was that the pay compression needs to be addressed. But for whatever reason(s) the current administration does not appear to be willing to commit funds to start the process of rewarding the town’s long term employees with due compensation.
The “park” where the Ark Plantation historic signs are placed needs to be designated as a public park. That would help prevent it from being sold and developed as private property.
Huckabee Fields needs to be embraced by the town as the true gem it could be. Modernize the playing fields and structures to make it more appealing to the promoters of tournaments. Possibly add enough pickle ball courts to encourage tournaments. Don’t ignore the field and stop trying to find ways to sell this prime real estate.
A bicycle and walking trail through the town. This has been on the comprehensive plan for years but no money ever gets committed to the planning or construction.
The town started paying vendors via ACH, Automated Clearing House, method during January 2025. It appears there were no standard procedures written to prevent the recent miss-directed payment that happened recently or the procedural steps were not followed.
I will end with what, again in my opinion, is a great injustice to two well tenured employees that were recently terminated. This action appears to be a smoke screen for the missing ½ million dollars. No reason will be given for the two employees termination (citing employee confidentiality) leading the public to speculate as to why they were fired. Please ask questions as to why the firings were done. Also ask why the firings were done specifically at the time they were done. I am really relieved to not have been reelected last November. I would have been ashamed to have been a part of what has become a circus that this town has become. Stand up and do something about the abuse of power that is happening in town hall.
Thank you,
LaVerne Kreklau
