Which is part of the reason the best don’t go into politics. I’d even be in trouble it they just told the TRUTH! say nothing of what they could make up.

David thinking things could be worse
—and likely will be

In general, that is a good thing because we are NOT supermen, not even our leaders.

David for the heat associated with light

This is one of the best posts that I’ve read.

I don’t know if what you are saing is the law but it does sound like it and you are right………no business wants to locate here when you are in the paper squabbling over matters that shouldn’t have been in the paper in the first place.

This is in fact wrong, The Mayor and Council does have complete control of the Town and its business. They do not have control of the actual police matters, i.e. arrests, tickets, court proceedings, etc. This issue is a personnel matter and should be handled as such.

The fact in this matter is that both Mayor Bondurant and Officer Jenkins made mistakes in this and the Council has been forced to make corrections. A new officer was hired by Jenkins without checking his references. When the information of the officer’s past actions came to light Mayor Bondurant instructed Jenkins to terminate the officer. An employee can be terminated during their 6 month probationary period for any reason. Jenkins may have been right in that the officer had not done anything wrong in Flomaton, but was wrong in that the references should have been checked and employment can be terminated.

The Mayor, as Chief Operating Officer, does have the authority to hire and fire the employees of the Town. This, historically, has been done by the Department Heads, but the Mayor has the ultimate responsibility. The employees have the option of appealing to the Council. The Council hires and fires the Town Officers, i.e. Town Clerk, Police Chief, Superintendent, and Fire Chief. The Mayor can fire a Town Officer, but the issue must be reviewed by the Council and either upheld or overturned.

Jenkins needs to remember that whether he is the Chief or not, he still has a boss and he must follow instructions and procedures. Mayor Bondurant needs to remember that the employees are people and should be talked to in a way that he would like to be talked to.

Is Flomaton currently the “laughing stock of the County”? Yes, and will likely stay that way until changes are made. The Town needs to hire quality personnel and pay them a first class salary, then expect them to deliver first class service. If they do not deliver, get someone else. Let the employees run the day to day operations and the Council and Mayor work on development. No business wants to locate in an area that has this type stories dominating the local news.