Despite encouragement from some aldermen to continue driving a luxury SUV to promote the city, newly-elected Mayor James A. Young says he's trading the vehicle in because of a campaign promise to be more frugal.
Aldermen encouraged Young to drive the Tahoe, emphasizing that he would be promoting the city, especially when he travels out of town on business.
During his long campaign for mayor that began about a year ago, Young said he heard consistently from voters about the Tahoe the previous administration purchased for nearly $30,000.
"This sounds a little funny, but during my campaign I got a lot of criticism about the Tahoe," Young said.
"I would like your permission to trade it. I am not that. I just feel like it's a little bit much for me."
The Mayor and Board of Aldermen purchased the sports utility vehicle in June 2007, accepting a bid of $29,990.
The Tahoe replaced a 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer.
The Tahoe bid specifications listed a V8 engine, CD/MP3 player, and a remote vehicle starter prep package, among other accessories with a manufacturer's retail price of $35,990.
Young told aldermen that he would like to downsize and hopefully get two vehicles for the city for the price of one.
Ward 1 Alderman Joe Tullos, who works in the automotive business, said the used Tahoe would bring top dollar.
Despite the encouragement, Young declined its use.
"I made some promises that I wasn't going to ride in that truck," he said, drawing applause and cheers from the audience.
"I don't mind using it until we get something. If we get a good deal. We are not going to lose anything. I want to take my stand on that," he said.
Tullos inquired of Young as to the Tahoe's model and number of miles.
"I haven't learned how to use the controls yet so don't ask me how many miles it's got," Young said.
In other procedural matters, Young told aldermen that they would have copies of any invoice totaling over $1,000 to examine more closely before the city's monthly claims docket is approved.
"We're not going to ride through any claims from this day forward without some questions," Young said, noting that city department heads would be instructed to turn purchase orders in to the city clerk's office in a more timely manner.
"When we rush, we make mistakes," he said. "I know it's going to take a little more time but we are dealing with taxpayer money and y'all need to know where it's being spent."
Young also told aldermen that he had asked the City Clerk to provide him with lists of such things as city credit cards and gas cards along with the names of those who have access to them.
"I want to start off knowing where things are, if I am going to be held responsible," he said.
Young said he would also be examining the contracts the city has for such things as grass cutting, weeding and pest control.
"I want to be sure we get the best price for the best service," he said, noting that taking two or more quotes or advertising for bids for those services might prove beneficial.
Young also asked aldermen about procedures in place dealing with mayor's travel.
The day before he traveled to Jackson by private vehicle to meet with an industrial prospect.
"Hopefully, these guys are going to help us usher in some new solar industry," he said.
The mayor does not need pre-approval for such travel utilizing his city-owned vehicle, aldermen said.
Some of the other procedural changes recommended by the mayor were:
• New employees will appear before the board in person before they are hired;
• Department heads would give the board a monthly update;
• The deadline for a person or organization to be placed on the board's agenda would be moved to Wednesday at noon before the following Tuesday meeting.
Young thanked the board for their support.
"I told you we were going to hit the ground running and we plan on going out and making the city better," he said.
Reader Comments
Posted: Monday, November 30, 2009
Article comment by:
CARL ROBERTS
DOES THAT MEAN IF YOU ARE A WHITE MAN IN NESHOBA COUNTY YOU ARE A GOOD OLD BOY???
Posted: Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Article comment by:
Janice Manning
Big whoop..he traded the 2 in for 1. Yeah, that makes a great mayor!
Posted: Thursday, July 16, 2009
Article comment by:
Jonathan Tullos
Big kudos to the mayor! Finally, a mayor who will hold the city accountable for how tax money is spent. Imagine that! A new day has come, Philadelphia. Embrace it and enjoy it.
Posted: Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Article comment by:
Kiley Goforth
AWESOME!! Now why couldn't the last mayor do this...considering he was a former car dealer with plenty of vehicles?? Hmmm...maybe that's another reason he wasn't re-elected.
