On June 23, a public hearing was held at the Morven Town Hall to allow the public to comment on the 2009-2010 town budget. I attended the meeting with the sole purpose of addressing the decision to set aside $2,500 of public money to underwrite the expense of an October festival, a mere day of celebration. Originally, the affair "Homecoming" was arranged by citizens and held every five years, supported entirely by outside funds with no expense to the town.

During the meeting, I called attention to the fact that the mayor had recently (within the past two months) requested assistance from the county commissioners to help pay a $17,000 sewer bill. I understand, however, that the commissioners declined to do this. As a result of the financial crisis existing in Morven, all town employees' hours will be reduced, costing every employee between $120 and $150 per month. I stated that I understood some financial "belt tightening" would be necessary; however, I considered it a contradiction (spend for what we like, beg for what we need) to turn around and spend $2,500 for some unnecessary festival party, further worsening our financial situation.

I was never so embarrassed as when Mayor [Carolyn] Solomon loudly exclaimed, "Mr. Carr, shut up and sit down!" and further threatened to call the police. Several of the current council members cautioned Mayor Solomon that she should let me speak; she responded, "I am the mayor whether he likes it or not, and he only came here to make trouble." My comments were general and not directed to anyone in particular as I was only addressing that one issue. I later spoke to Mayor Pro Tem, Ms. Susan Woodburn, who displayed a most professional attitude and she agreed that the council should re-examine the wisdom of this wasteful expenditure.

The public hearing allows citizens to examine and understand how money would be spent in the next fiscal year and is one of the most important meetings of the year. ONly four citizens chose to attend this meeting. Two weeks later, on July 6, the regular monthly town meeting was held. At that time, the council, over the objections of the mayor, rescinded this wasteful provision.

I commend Ms. Susan Woodburn for taking the leadership to address this mismanagement of money.

Our Town Hall is in crisis. The arrogant and combative attitude frequently displayed by Mayor Solomon has had a seriously damaging effect and has literally fragmented segments of the community, including the council. The mayor refuses to pay money she owes to the town and refuses to correct a deliberate violation of town ordinances at her home. It seems that what we feared on the street (lawlessness) has now moved into Town Hall. This letter is to alert the residents of Morven of the crisis we are facing. It is now time for the residents of Morven to stand up against this self-aggrandizement, disobedience of law and disrespectfulness to citizens and fellow council members.

Theodore Carr

Morven