11/09/09 - McNairy County
The small town of
Bethel Springs has been literally shut down for
almost a month, after the Board of Alderman fired
all of its city workers in October. "It was not
mentioned or discussed or even implied those
employees were going to be fired," said Mayor Norma
Smith.
Since then, two city
workers have been hired in conjunction with the
water and sewer department. However, the recorder
and clerk position has remained vacant. The
city's mail, which can only be opened by the
recorder, has been stacking up for weeks. "There is
probably a lot of actions pending or late or even
missed," said Smith.
During Monday night's
board meeting, the board hired Helen Heart as the
new city recorder. "She worked here awhile so she is
a little bit familiar with the recording. Within a
week or so they should have it up and going good,"
said City Alderman Vernon Hickman.
Misty Wade was hired
as the part-time city clerk. Both positions will
begin immediately. But many citizens are concerned
about how to pay their water and gas bills. "I would
wave the late charges to get all of them
straightened out," Hickman said.
The city receives its
gas through Henderson, which said is aware of the
month long void. Bethel Springs is working on
solutions to pay the bills.