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Minutes for the City Council meeting on August 20, 1956
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The City Council of the City of Jonesboro, Arkansas, met in regular session on the above named date at 7:30 p.m. in City Hall. There were present: Mayor, Deputy City Clerk, City Attorney and the following named Councilmen: Johnson, Fritz, Fields, Copeland, Stricklin, Powell, Snow, Hamilton and Hart. Absent: Keister.
Mr. Bill Penix, attorney for Mrs. Faye J. Brown, appeared before the Council and read the following letter tendering her resignation:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
Jonesboro, Ark.
August 13, 1956
Gentlemen:
Because of personal reasons and a desire to live in California, I hereby tender my resignation as of this date, for the Office of City Clerk and Ex-officio Municipal Court Clerk.
In order that I may dispute certain insinuations that are being made against me, I wish to make a matter of record, the following facts which have immediately preceded this resignation:
a. On February 28, 1956, I went to California for a period of 3 weeks, under doctor’s order, to restore my health. This illness was occasioned by having worked four and one half years as City Clerk without vacation. The one exception being one week in the summer of 1954.
b. Upon returning to Jonesboro, it was my conviction that regardless who held my office, such person would need the following assistance:
1. Permanent clerical help to file and record judgments, ordinances, resolutions, etc.
2. On completion of the new City Hall, when there would be adequate room for more files, a full-time Deputy Clerk
c. This request was acted upon by action of the Council the 6th day of May, 1956, in the form of “clerical help” for a period of ninety days.
d. An opportunity arose to prepare myself for a future career. This opportunity demanded immediate action. Accordingly, with respect to the dictates of my conscience and allegiance to my office, I tendered my resignation to the Mayor. The Mayor did not submit this resignation to the Council. Instead, he made an agreement to hire a Deputy Clerk who would carry out the duties of my office until such time that I definitely decided on a new career.
e. By permission of the Mayor, I made the following agreement with my Deputy Clerk:
1. As of June 6, 1956, I would begin training her, at my own expense, to manage the office.
2. The salary would be $150.00 per month as long as I was working in the office with her. On July 13, 1956, when she was able to take over the work in my absence, I agreed to pay her $200.00 per month. Her salary would remain the same until August 15, 1956, when I would either resign or return to Jonesboro.
3. Should I return, I would retain her at $150.00 a month to work with me. Should I decide to move to California, I would resign, with the Mayor’s agreement to ask that she be appointed to fill my term and would draw the full salary of $300.00 per month.
In summary, I would like to say that this detailed resignation would not have been necessary had not a misunderstanding of the facts been presented to the city in the newspaper. I feel that the voters are entitled to an honest, complete statement of the facts.
Very truly yours,
Signed,
Faye J. Brown
Mr. Copeland made the motion, seconded by Mr. Hamilton, that the City Council accept Mrs. Brown’s resignation as of August 15, 1956. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
Judge Foster Clarke appeared before the Council and gave the following statement:
In fairness to the City Clerk, Mrs. Faye J. Brown, I wish to state, as Judge of the Municipal Court, that Mrs. Brown’s work as Municipal Court Clerk has always been satisfactory to the court. In addition to her duties for the city as City Clerk, she is ex-officio Municipal Court Clerk and she has done good work as Municipal Court Clerk. She has always been very conscientious in the performance of her duties an Municipal Court Clerk. For over four years she has kept the heavy work load of the clerical work of the Court going, without outside clerical help, though, in my opinion, some part-time clerical help is needed for the office. The records of the Court are up to date and the duties of the Municipal Court Clerk are being well performed.
I wish to state further, for the Court, that the work of Mrs. Brown’s Deputy, Mrs. Phyllis W. Stringer, as Deputy Municipal Court Clerk, is satisfactory to the Court and that she is performing all the duties of the office in a very capable manner.
This appointment of the Deputy City Clerk by Mrs. Brown was within her legal rights as an elected public official and the appointment was made to help the City of Jonesboro in order that the City might find and train a new clerk. Arkansas State law specifically authorizes the City Clerk to appoint a Deputy City Clerk. (Act 217, Acts of Ark. for 1943)
In the history of Jonesboro, the City Clerk’s Office has been held through a Deputy Clerk in this manner at least 3 times for over a year at a time, namely, by James Carr Cobb, by his wife as Deputy during his military service in World War II; by Wayne White, during his military service, first by his wife as Deputy and second, by Mrs. Faye J. Brown as his Deputy Clerk, before she was elected Clerk in her own right.
I sincerely believe that the City Clerk, Mrs. Faye J. Brown, is due the thanks of the City of Jonesboro for the good work she has done as City Clerk and ex-officio Municipal Court Clerk.
Signed:
Foster Clarke, Municipal Judge
Mayor Sanderson explained why he had not told Council of Mrs. Brown’s resignation. He stated that he would have been betraying her confidence, as she had asked him not to tell anyone.
Mr. Powell made the motion, seconded by Mr. Hamilton, that a committee be appointed to write a letter of recommendation to Mrs. Brown and that the committee present the letter to Council for approval before mailing. All present voted aye. Motion carried. The Mayor then appointed Mr. Powell and Mr. Snow on the committee.
The City Planning Commission report of August 16, 1956, was read by Mayor Sanderson. Dr. Fritz moved that dedication of Melody Lane Extended be accepted by the City and Mr. Copeland seconded the motion. All present voting aye. Mr. Hamilton then made the motion, seconded by Mr. Powell, that the City accept the plat of Block D and E from the City Planning Commission. All members present voting aye.
The majority of the Parking Meter Committee recommended that Farmer’s State Bank be allowed the requested parking facilities. Mr. Snow made the motion, seconded by Mr. Hamilton, that the Bank be rented the two spaces requested for the sum of $15.00 a month until rescinded by the City Council. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
Mr. Copeland asked that the Chief investigate the need of stop signs at Hoover and Bridge, Hoover and Drake, Walnut and Jefferson, and Walnut and Warner then give the Council a recommendation.
Mr. Powell made the motion, seconded by Mr. Hamilton, that Mrs. Dan Stringer fill the unexpired term of City Clerk and Ex-officio Municipal Court Clerk. All members present voting aye.
The committee to set up regulations for City Clerk had not report at this time.
The motion to pay the City’s bills was made by Mr. Hamilton seconded by Mr. Snow with all present voting aye. The finance committee okayed the City Transit deficit to be reimbursed.
Mr. Copeland offered the Trailer Ordinance to be read for the third and final time. The Council passed until the next meeting.
The motion to adjourn until Tuesday, September 4, 1956, at 7:30 p.m. was made by Mr. Hamilton and seconded by Mr. Hart. All members present voting aye. Council adjourned.