LAKE PARK —
The passing of a motion to request the consulting services of former Lake Park City Clerk Ann Peterson was met with animated applause by those in attendance at an emergency City Council meeting Tuesday night.
The meeting, as well as the action, follows much strife by the city trying to resolve erroneous water bills and other clerical issues since the dismissal of Peterson by the City Council in January, and the resignation of the former mayor in July.
The council’s decision did not come quickly, but only after a failed motion to “bring Ann Peterson back” by Councilman David Whitfield and about 45 minutes of open-floor commentary by the council and the audience.
“(Peterson) is the only one who knows the system,” one citizen said.
“She is the only hope of getting the city back.”
“She is more than qualified,” said another citizen.
“We need to get on with city business,” said a third.
“We all make mistakes, but we need unity,” said a fourth.
One citizen remarked that he didn’t think Peterson would come even if asked, and claimed that Peterson was one of 23 clerks recognized by the State of Georgia as a master city clerk.
Most, including the council, agreed that if she didn’t return to her position “for the council,” she would return out of devotion to the City and its residents.
One of the major concerns outlined at the meeting was the input of billing data, a task usually handled by the city clerk. No one on the city council knows how to work the program, and a new program would be too expensive a corrective measure, according to Sherrill.
“We must hire someone to post the information, and it will cost money,”
Sherrill said. “We are reaching a critical stage, and we need to move forward.”
Corrected water bills are due to be delivered to customers in about four days, Whitfield said. More than 100 citizens received bills that were too low earlier in the month.
Following the arguments, Councilwoman Shauneen Moss motioned to “ask Peterson if she wants to come in as a consultant, and if she is interested, that the city reactivate its bond to allow her to step in and fulfill duties as a city clerk until such time as another city clerk could be found.”
The motion passed unanimously.
Anita Amore, the most recent Lake Park city clerk, was dismissed last week due to budgetary constraints, according to Sherrill.
For more on this story and other local news, subscribe to The Valdosta Daily Times e-Edition, or our print edition.
