Commission Meeting Ends Abruptly

The Jasper County Commission adjourned its regular monthly meeting on the first Monday just minutes after the meeting opened. The meeting opened with a call to order and pledge, then agenda comments began being heard.

Mrs. Mary Patrick raised concerns again about the minutes of the commission meetings.

Second to speak was Charles Forsythe. Mr. Forsythe said he objected to the meeting as it was not posted “at the meeting place” which the law requires. He said he would object to any action taken during the meeting.

County Manager Greg Williams confirmed he advertised the agenda in the newspaper, but failed to post it on the Courthouse door.
County Attorney John Nix read Mr. Forsythe’s argument, and agreed with him. The meeting was then adjourned.

Some commissioners immediately left the room, with no discussion held about rescheduling the meeting. Apparently, the county manager contacted the commissioners and made the plans sometime after that.

The commissioners now plan to meet next Monday, March 13, at 9 a.m., presumably to replace the halted meeting. The agenda for that meeting is on page 6 of today’s paper. It includes several items that were not on the agenda for the March 6 meeting.