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THE LEADER THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2012 ▪ VO L . 1 2 8 , N O. 1 5 ▪ T H E VO I C E O F TIPTON COUNTY S I N C E 1 8 8 6 ▪
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Embattled council unable to pay bills By SHERRI ONORATI sonorati@covingtonleader.com GILT EDGE – Last Friday’s special called board meeting was supposed to appoint a new recorder and alderman to replace former Gilt Edge Mayor Philip Nelson and recorder Jeff Hunter who both recently resigned. The meeting, called by then vice-mayor and Gilt Edge Fire Chief Steve Fletcher,
instead left a lot of questions unanswered and an entire agenda, save for one task, incomplete. Gilt Edge citizens who filled the trailer that serves as City Hall, left with more questions than answers. The meeting, which as was well attended, was scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. but instead started 10 minutes late. Even so, the entire process was con-
cluded in 18 minutes. Hunter, who resigned on Sunday, Jan. 15, said his duties as recorder conflicted too much with duties at his place of business as well as time spent with his family. He was not sighted at the meeting. “For the salary I am receiving, it has come to the point where it is not worth the effort to devote any more time to this position,” his resignation letter
stated. Former Mayor Phillip Nelson, who has been the mayor since the death of mayor Wayne Sloan in 2010, cited in his resignation letter problems with other aldermen as his reason for resigning. “The fact that there is one alderman that only shows up 50 percent of the time and another who sees no future for our community unless that
future involves the fire department exclusively has made all my time and effort worthless,” Nelson wrote. The council, which normally seats three alderman and a recorder, was attended by Alderman Rodney McLillie and Vice-Mayor/Alderman Steve Fletcher. City Attorney Lyle Jones was also in attendance. Before the meeting began, SEE BILLS, PAGE A3
Covington safeguarding public funds By SHERRI ONORATI sonorati@covingtonleader.com In an effort to ensure the strictest accountability, the City of Covington recently adopted a resolution on Jan. 24 to formalize their internal financial control policy which had been in effect for several years. “We’ve actually had safeguards in place for several years now,” said Covington Mayor David Gordon. “But the resolution will help us reduce our insurance costs because we have a formal adopted resolution.” The resolution provides clear instructions to city officers and employees in the proper management, handling and safeguarding of public funds. The policy details the procedures that are to be followed beginning with the accountant who is responsible for opening all incoming mail and stamping “For Deposit Only” on checks immediately upon receipt. A check list must also be prepared listing all checks and payments received. After the amount is computed and signed by the accountant, the funds are verified by the accounting clerk. The policy also calls for a daily collection report to be prepared by each employee who receives any cash payment summarizing all collections. Additional security checks also require the money to be counted and signed each time the funds change hands and the money must be deposited within three days of receipt. “We take in taxpayer money and we are responsible for that money and every step of the way we need to make sure that the money that comes in, goes to what it’s designated to take care of,” explained Gordon when asked of the policy’s importance. Safeguards are also observed when the city must pay its bills. City checks are required to be signed by two people approved by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen. The accountant is who tasked with reconciling bank statements is not authorized to sign checks. The safeguards extend to the city’s credit card use. Statements are reviewed by several people, including those who are not authorized to use the cards to verify the legitimacy of the charges. Anyone who uses a city credit card must be authorized by the city’s governing
EASY RIDERS Rylee White, right, and Terrance Miller, both 3, take advantage of some unseasonably warm weather Wednesday afternoon by riding their tricycles around at the Krayola Learning Academy in Covington. The high for the day was 65 degrees and similarly mild temperatures are expected through the weekend. Photo by Jeff Ireland
Suspect in Heaston murder freed Victim’s family seeking answers, closure in August shooting By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com COVINGTON – A grieving mother said she was disturbed to know the man accused in her son’s murder was released from jail two weeks ago. The case never made it to trial. “It was heartbreaking to know that someone that was accused of a deadly crime was turned loose to be back out on the street,” said Teresa Smith. Smith’s son, Darius “Dee Dee” Heaston, was shot on Friday, Aug. 19, 2011 in Covington’s Frazier Park. He died the following morning at the Regional Medical Center in Memphis (MED). Witnesses placed Tony Dewayne Davis at the scene, stating he was seen firing a weapon on Long Street, and he was charged with
shooting the 20-year-old. Affidavits show Davis, 29, was also charged with reckless endangerment, unlawful possession of a weapon and attempted second-degree murder in the shooting of Tedrick Dunn. Dunn was not seriously injured. Davis, of Mason, was being held on $250,000 bond. A hearing in General Sessions Court on Jan. 18 set him free, however. District Attorney General Mike Dunavant said witnesses could not positively identify the suspect and hearsay was all the police had to go on. Covington police, however, believe they have enough evidence for a conviction. Smith, who found out Davis was out of jail through Davis’s family members, never thought the case wouldn’t go to trial. She was also upset that she was not informed about Davis’s release. “No one notified me that it was even going on,” she said. “I don’t know what to think. I feel like one day, if justice isn’t served here, it will
Teresa Smith, whose son Darius Heaston was shot and killed in Covington’s Frazier Park in August 2011, participates in a Stop the Violence in September 2011. Courtesy photo be served on the other side.” While she will not say for certain she believes Davis to be the one responsible, Smith is urging the public to come forward with information that may convict the person who took her son’s life. “I know people have information. SEE FREE, PAGE A3
SEE FUNDS, PAGE A3
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GOVERNMENT
Examining Covington’s transparency: salaries released
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By SHERRI ONORATI sonorati@covingtonleader.com It has long been touted that transparency in government is the right of every citizen. Transparency implies accountability, openness and communication between the American people and the people they elect and entrust the public welfare. President Barack Obama stated in his 2012
State of the Union address that, “Government should be transparent. Transparency promotes accountability and provides information for citizens about what their government is doing. Information maintained by the federal government is a national asset.” The same goes for state and local governments. Citizens have the right to know and should know
how their money is being spent. Public records are records deemed of public importance and include vital records, property transfers, educator licensure, sex offender lists, health care licensure, professional and contractor licenses, arrest reports and many more. Governments which practice transparency and accountability to taxpayers can avoid the
mismanagement of public funds which have recently plagued the City of Southaven, Miss. Southaven Mayor Greg Davis has been accused of improperly charging more than $170,000 in taxpayer money on his city-issued credit card for vacations, liquor, high-priced dinners and a visit to an adult store in Canada. He is currently SEE PAY, PAGE A3
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