The loudest things said at Tuesday night’s Crossville Trustee meeting were never uttered, but a rub was certainly alluded to. After working through routine business including paying bills and approving prior meeting minutes along with a handful of agenda items, board member Nancy Osborne, in an open meeting comment suggested if board members have concerns, they shouldn’t air it on social media, calling it pathetic. While not specifically called out, it’s fair to assume Osborne is referring to a video posted by trustee Kuykendall November 29th in which she expresses frustration over property abatements and alleged favoritism. Mayor Rick Kuykendall said it was a personal choice to express their opinion in the country we live in whether it was for or against anyone saying he appreciated every person’s concerns, beliefs, and comments. Trustee Kuykendall and fellow trustee Nikki Jacobs were absent from the meeting. Cherie Westfall also spoke up saying concerns should be handled in a more professional capacity. Mayor Kuykendall said since he’d taken on leadership duties in May, he had tried to handle things the way he saw fit and has since learned thanks to the village attorney, Jonathan Turpin, there may have been some situations he should’ve handled differently. The mayor has been working to try to get Crosville cleaned up and working to encourage residents to clean up properties. He says he’s since learned the unit of government has to go about it a certain way in order to avoid issues of what could appear to be “targeting” of certain properties. Chad Harrell also spoke.
As the recipient of the video that was posted online, I don’t appreciate people spreading lies about me or my wife. I don’t think that’s fair. I do agree that people have the right to speak their mind and to do what they need to do. But if you’re going to speak, please speak the truth. I’m a pretty quiet guy. I keep to myself. I try to run my business. I work every day. I feel like we deserve that. That’s just my two cents.
Harrell’s wife is city clerk Selena Harrell. Mayor Kuykendall said he expects there will be a big crowd at their January 13th meeting.
In other less tense business, Crossville leaders signed off on purchasing a new gas line locator. They previously paid nearly $5,000 for a new one in an emergency after the one the village had failed. Mark Pearce says USDI has offered to sell them the locator they loaned the village for $1,100 which would provide a second and backup. Leaders also purchased a transfer switch for the generator after it failed at a cost of $5,700. A single bid was opened for the old Crossville Hahn firetruck. Caleb Harrington will take ownership for $601. In old business, Mayor Kuykendall says work is underway to install cameras at Tiger Park. The village board meeting was adjourned at 7:12pm.