City hall meeting goes awry, citizens seek answers on ‘Crossing’ upkeep

HUMBOLDT, Tenn. — We received a tip from one of our WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News tipsters about one city hall meeting that went wrong.

What began as a budget approval meeting for Humboldt City Hall soon turned into something more than originally planned.

Video taken during the meeting shows Humboldt’s City Mayor, Marvin Sikes, and City Alderwoman, Tammie Porter, in a disagreement.

In the meeting there was discussion about the “Crossing” and its upkeep.

“We got the budget passed, we were doing good but it derailed off in there somewhere and we never did get back on track,” said City Alderman of the 2nd Ward and Vice Mayor, Leon McNeal.

McNeal, along with other residents, were concerned with the upkeep of the Crossing since the May 8 placing of the ‘no trespassing’ signs.

“I have said many times, we need to wait to get some clear information on who owns what about that parking lot cause right now we don’t have nothing, you know? It’s not registering on who owns what,” said McNeal.

Residents have shared that the area grass has not been cut since the signs have been placed. Also, mentioned in previous years, the city kept up with the maintenance of this land.

“The ordinance or maybe getting some new ordinance to be passed about getting some stuff cleaned up around town. After that, Lord knows I just derailed after that everything just went down hill,” said McNeal.

McNeal shares he is trying get in contact with CSX Transportation for more information on this area because, without a parking lot, the business in that area will have no where for customers to park.

“The thing about it is ‘Well will call you back,’ then never call back. Or I’ll call and talk to the people. ‘Oh, we’ll get back with you,’ and they never get back with you to try to have a resolution, and you got business up there and the people need somewhere to park and that’s understandable. Someone should be able to give us some answers on this parking lot deal,” said McNeal.

We reached out to Mayor Sikes but he refused to talk to us. McNeal shares that the fiscal budget was passed however, the Crossing has been a topic at each city alderman’s meeting.

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