The City of Winona Board of Aldermen held a special-called meeting late last Friday morning with the primary purpose of approving the hiring of two deputy clerks and one certified officer.
Local media, including The Times and WONA 95.1 FM, were not informed that a meeting had been scheduled. However, the local radio station was tipped off and had a representative in attendance.
“It was not on purpose,” City Clerk Monica Turner responded to an email from The Times inquiring why its offices were not notified. “We are short handed. I try to always put it on the city’s website www.winonams.us because that is the city’s platform to advertise.”
State law requires municipalities to inform the public of special-called meetings one hour prior to the meeting. By posting the notice to the city’s website, officials met their legal obligation, but in the past, city officials have emailed media sources informing them of special-called meetings.
The Times was able to utilize WONA’s live stream of the meeting to report on its happenings.
To commence the meeting, Mayor Aaron Dees and City Clerk Monica Turner introduced Latifa Swims as the appointee for the first deputy clerk position, effective Feb. 26. Ward 4 Alderman Charles Harris made the motion to hire Swims, which was seconded by Ward 1 Alderman Mickey Austin. The vote was unanimous.
Subsequently, Mayor Dees and Turner announced Mary Lofton, who was unable to attend, as the appointee for the second deputy clerk position, effective March 8. Alderman Harris initiated the motion, seconded by Ward 3 Alderwoman Sylvia Clark. All were in favor except Ward 5 Alderwoman Linda Purnell.
“Out of all the applicants we had, there were only two that we felt that were qualified enough,” Mayor Dees said.
During the discussion on hiring the deputy clerks, Alderwoman Purnell asked why the city is not hiring people who are residents of Winona. Turner responded that they did not apply, and the few that did apply for these positions were not qualified.
“We had some that were qualified, but not qualified on this type of work,” Mayor Dees said.
Alderwoman Purnell then asked about the posting of the positions.
“Why wasn’t it posted?” Alderwoman Purnell asked. “The job hasn’t been posted.”
“We let people know,” Turner responded. “We didn’t post it in the paper because that’s just too much money.”
Common sizes for “Help Wanted” advertising to publish in The Times begin at less than $100 per week depending on the amount of information included in the ad. The Times also offers discounted rates for multiple runs of advertisements, which are also included in the pages of its sister newspaper, The Conservative, serving Carroll County.
Alderwoman Purnell then said that she would like to see the applicant’s application and resume in order for the Board members to make an educated decision when voting to approve the hiring of these individuals.
“We usually hire who the department head recommends because they are the ones who will be working with them,” Alderman Austin said. “What the department heads suggests, goes a long way.”
Lastly, Mayor Dees and Police Chief Roshaun Daniels introduced Robert Rosebud as a certified officer with the Winona Police Department, effective March 6. Alderman Harris made the motion to hire and Alderwoman Clark seconded. The vote was unanimous.
