DECATUR —
For the first time in almost a year, members of the Morgan County delegation were back at the table with other North-central Alabama Regional Council of Governments (NARCOG) board members Friday, bringing with them a strong voice.
After agreeing to return to the organization last week, Morgan County members asked a for a special meeting to be called to discuss the temporary executive director position, which was recently filled by West Point Mayor Kenneth Kilgo.
Not long into Friday’s meeting, the board of directors voted 9-0, after a motion from Lawrence County Commission Chairman Bobby Burch, and a second from Morgan County Commissioner Randy Vest, to override an earlier decision made last Wednesday to name Kilgo the interim director
“We have nothing against the choice you made at the last meeting, but we just feel like he’s not the person we want to represent us at NARCOG right now,” Morgan County Chairman Ray Long said. “I think we’re at a stage where we would like to move on forward past all of these problems we’ve had, and it’s just time we start with a fresh table.”
Kilgo was tabbed to take over the role by a 6-2 vote, with six members abstaining after Lona Johns announced her retirement, effective Feb. 6, at the regular scheduled meeting in Holly Pond.
Long said he felt it was a decision that shouldn’t have been made.
“It shouldn’t have been made knowing we were coming back,” he said. “This is a very important decision for the organization, and we feel Morgan County, just as Cullman and Lawrence County, should have been at the table when negotiations were going on with that particular issue.”
Stefanie Franklin, who currently serves as director of aging for NARCOG, was named to take over as interim director by a unanimous vote. As part of her role, Long made it clear to board members that the position would come with lesser duties than in the past. He said no major decisions would be made by Franklin, and that she would only be over day-to-day operations.
“Our goal of Morgan County is not to have this interim director ride it out for a year like the last one did,” Long said. “We plan to work with you and this whole board to try to have a permanent director in place soon.”
He added the goal is to have a full-time director in place by around the first or mid part of April.
“I hope the goal of everyone is to get to work on this quickly so we can get us one, lay all of this to rest, and get back to where we need to be, which is focusing on our seniors.”
In a phone call to Kilgo following the meeting, he said he would have to speak with an attorney as to how the meeting played out, but did note he planned to continue his work with the organization.
“I have no ill will toward anybody,” Kilgo said. “I’m still not certain I’m terminated from the program manager position. It’s my intent to still get on the road, and I’ll continue to work as long as the board wants me to.”
Ashley Graves can be reached by phone at 734-2131, ext. 225, or by email at agraves@cullmantimes.com
Top News
Related Photos
-
West Point mayor Kenneth Kilgo is seen during a town hall meeting with local legislators Thursday night at Cullman city hall. NARCOG’s board of directors voted 9-0 on Friday to override an earlier decision made last Wednesday to name Kilgo the interim director of the organization. Amanda Shavers-Davis
Discussion
Morgan County re-seated at NARCOG
New vote overrides Kilgo’s appointment as interim director
- Top News
-
-
Arrests, incidents reports for Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Here is a look at the incidents that were reported to the Cullman City Police Department for Tuesday:
-
NATION: Tornado damage nears $2 billion; mayor wants shelter requirement
The Oklahoma Insurance Department says a preliminary estimate suggests the cost of the tornado that hit the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore could be more than $2 billion.
-
Appointed superintendent bill passes for Cullman County
It’s official: Billy Coleman will be the last superintendent ever elected for the Cullman County Board of Education.
-
The Times' Morning Update for Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Good morning, readers, this is what's happening in your county today:
-
NARCOG expects to select new attorney
Members of the North-central Alabama Regional Council of Governments (NARCOG) board are expected to select a new attorney for legal representation at their monthly meeting today.
-
NATION: With 24 dead, officials say Oklahoma survivor search is almost over
The search for survivors and the dead is nearly complete in the Oklahoma City suburb that was smashed by a mammoth tornado, the fire chief said Tuesday.
-
Arrests, incidents reports for Monday, May 20, 2013
Here is a look at the incidents that were reported to the Cullman City Police Department for Monday:
-
Cullman teenager injured in Monday crash
A single vehicle crash left a Cullman teenager injured at 3:20 p.m. on County Road 1141 Monday.
-
Couple honored for work on Clarkson Bridge
It was all Cullman County Parks manager Doug Davenport could do to get Ron and Julie Buker to the Cullman County Commission meeting last week.
-
2 Cullman residents arrested on drug charges, child taken to DHR
Two Cullman residents were arrested on multiple drug-related charges and a child was placed in Department of Human Resource’s care after deputies searched a home on Friday at 3:30 p.m.
- More Top News Headlines
-
Britain Attack Believed Linked to Radical Islam
Raw: Kevin Durant Tours Moore After $1M Pledge
Weiner Launches Bid to Become NYC Mayor
Okla. Teens Get Video of Deadly Tornado Overhead
Man Shot While Questioned in Boston Probe
School Storm Protection Spotty in Tornado Zones
9-year-old Tornado Victim Loved Family, Singing
Moore Native Toby Keith Tours Tornado Damage
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Okla. City Mayor: Up to 13K Homes Hit by Tornado
Raw: Aftermath of Deadly Attack in London
Paperless Scanner, Vision of the Future
Florida FBI Shooting Has Boston Bombing Links
Garcetti Elected Los Angeles Mayor Over Greuel
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
IRS Official Pleads 5th Amendment
Lawyer: Feds Investigating Susan Powell Case
