GARFIELD -- Aldermen in Garfield received a letter last week from Mayor Gary Blackburn stating he would not respond to email inquiries for information.
"If you have questions about these reports, or need clarification, please call me or stop by City Hall," Blackburn's letter states. "It is my expectation that questions, clarification will be resolved prior to the October Council meeting. I will not respond to email inquiries."
When asked about the letter, the mayor said: "I receive 1,000 personal emails."
He said his priority in communication was first in person, second by telephone, third by mail and fourthly by email. He said that email doesn't allow full understanding in communication and that reading a person's body language and expression in person is important. He said email was not the most efficient use of his time.
Blackburn said people may drop by City Hall between 7:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on weekdays for information. He also said he will make arrangements to meet someone who requests information if those times are not convenient.
Alderman Kathrine Shook said she has repeatedly sent emails requesting information but did not received responses. Her husband, Andy Shook, said he took a day off work Friday, Sept. 30, so he could go to Garfield City Hall to get the information his wife had requested, but was denied.
"He (Blackburn) said he wouldn't give it to me," Mr. Shook said.
In an email letter, alderman Shook said: "On Friday (9/30), my husband went to city with my list of questions, and the mayor refused to give him the information. The mayor said, 'No. She'll have to come to City Hall. I won't give this information to you.'"
Shook said she met the mayor at City Hall on Saturday before the Turkey Shoot and he said he was busy, but would call her later in the day. They agreed to meet late Saturday and Blackburn showed Shook where city papers were, telling her to copy them, then close the office.
Shook said there are minutes from March, April and May, but not June, July or August and that the mayor said he didn't know where those minutes are. She said that although she found the receipts she requested, she also found eight checks with no receipts, invoices or documentation.
Arkansas Code Annotated 14-43-502 states that aldermen "have the management and control of the city finances."
"I am unable to manage or control the city finances due to lack of support and cooperation from our mayor," Shook said.
General News on 10/05/2016