Pikeville questions fire dept - Wayne-Wilson News Leader, Fremont, NC

That's the question that was raised by citizens and board members at this month's Pikeville town board meeting on Tuesday night as the board discussed renewing the town's contract with the department.

During the public comment time at the meeting, Dennis Lewis came before the board to present a situation that has him frustrated. He explained to the board that he feels that, as a citizen and taxpayer, he has the right to be able to see how the fire department spends the money given to them by the town.

Mr. Lewis asked each commissioner how he or she felt about the issue. Most replied that they didn't necessarily feel that the fire department should be obligated to explain themselves, as long as they are performing the services they are contracted to perform for the town.

Commissioner Johnny Weaver stated that, though the Pikeville- Pleasant Grove department provides services for the town, their spending is from public funds, and should thereby be public record.

Mr. Lewis asked the board that, as they considered renewing the contract with Pikeville-Pleasant Grove VFD later in the meeting, that they consider the citizen's rights. He said that citizens have the right to know how their tax dollars have been spent, and they aren't being allowed that information.

Commissioner Al Greene asked Mr. Lewis if he had brought this concern to Wayne County officials as well, because the department also receives county monies.

Mr. Lewis said he did not want to say how far he had inquired, but did state that he had been told straight out by several officials that he could not have access to those records, nor did he have the right to.

He also stated for public knowledge that he had applied to be a member of the department in the past and was denied, but that was not his issue.

"I joined another department, and I'm very happy with that," he said. "I am not happy that I don't know how my tax money is being spent. It's un-American."

The board agreed that the issue is something that needed to be further investigated.

"I would like to ask you to consider putting the contract on hold tonight," said Mr. Lewis. "I think that I as a tax payer, we all as taxpayers have the right to know how our money is spent."

When the fire department contract came up later in the meeting, the board members asked Town Clerk Kathie Fields if there was a deadline by which they had to make a decision about the contract.

Mrs. Fields told the board that technically, the contract should have already been submitted to the county. However, the $27,000 the town commits to pay to the department has to be paid by December 31.

The board then asked the town attorney, Jean Hollowell, what exactly they were doing by approving the contract.

The board was told that it was agreeing to pay the $27,000 to the department in exchange for the services provided.

"You need the protection, and you would have the same issue of disclosure if you at this point decided to search for another provider," said Mrs. Hollowell. "The question of how much disclosure still stands."

Commissioner Greene suggested that the town sign the resolution, but hold the payment while Mrs. Hollowell investigates the disclosure issue.

"I think we should hold it; it shows that we consider this a serious issue," said Commissioner Weaver.

The board voted to sign the contract with the department while further investigating the level of disclosure citizens have a right to. They also proposed discussing the issue with the department's chief at next month's meeting.

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