Greenwood attorney Lee Abraham will replace the Town of Vaiden’s long-serving board attorney Lane Greenlee.
In Mayor Stella Washington Bell’s first meeting in office, she recommended Abraham to serve as board attorney.
Greenlee, who was present at the meeting, asked Bell if she was appointing a new attorney and she told him yes. Greenlee explained that he worked for the board, and his re-appointment was the board’s decision.
“Well, they haven’t made their decision yet. I just presented the resume of who I wanted,” she said.
Greenlee responded, “It’ll suit me just fine, if that’s what you wish.”
He then thanked the board and told them that he enjoyed working for them and wished Bell well.
“If you ever need my help or if you ever need me to come back and help, I’ll be glad to,” he said, before leaving the meeting.
The board then voted to hire Lee Abraham as the town’s new attorney.
Bell then recommended the reappointment of Sonya Greenleaf as City Clerk, Verlene Cain as Deputy City Clerk, the city department heads and the volunteer firefighters. She also reappointed the town’s current part-time employees, which include two high school students.
However, Bell said the Town of Vaiden needed workers, and she was looking for workers.
“Saturday, I had to send Stonewall, my significant other, to go open the doors of the Farmer’s Market. But, we need some muscle. I can’t promise that he’s going to be in town all the time. We have to have some workers to keep the grounds maintained, the roads cleared, the gutters cleaned, we need some workers,” Bell said.
She said she said two applications but was looking to hire.
The board also heard from Fred Mcgee who reported to the board that he and his grandfather have a construction business and had a prior agreement with former mayor Mel Hawthorne about the space beside the farmer’s market.
Mcgee said he and his grandfather wanted to know if they could use the inside of the Farmer’s Market as well on the days that it rains.
Alderman Curtis Meeks suggested the old Vaiden High School band hall. Meeks said there was nothing in the building, and it may be a bigger space for them.
The Mcgees asked about electricity and wanted to know if they were paying to rent the building, would electricity be included.
Abraham told them that electricity is usually on the renter and they would also need insurance. He told the Mcgees to look into it and talk it over with Bell.
Bell also told the board that the Mississippi Department of Health wanted to set up a site at the Vaiden High School Gymnasium for COVID-19 shots beginning July 6 through September 30 at no charge to the city.
She said she knew that Vaiden Baptist used the gym and there were other organizations that
Also, the board:
Voted Lesia Hemphill as Mayor Pro Tem
Approved to keep Lesia Hemphill, Sonya Greenleaf and Verlene Cain on the accounts at Holmes County Bank.
Approved to pay the $25 membership fee to the Carroll County Development Association for the annual meeting.
Authorized Mayor Stella Washington-Bell to speak to Superintendent Jim Ray to see if the IT person for the district could work in Vaiden for a few days also.
Approved Mayor Stella Washington-Bell to use the 2015 White Silverado for official town business
Approved to pay $400 to North Central Planning and Development for the 2021-2022 fiscal year.
Approved for cut offs on 10 outstanding water bills in the town effective Wednesday.
Accepted the bid for a wood chipper from Derek Welch in the amount of $153, a bush hog from Thad Purnell in the amount of $666 and a trailer in the amount of $525.
