Chad Abshire

Staff Writer

WILLIAMSON —The Williamson City Council met Thursday evening and discussed a few topics of note, including a pair of ordinances.

At the council’s previous meeting, the first reading of an amendment to a city ordinance which stated that a person who is:

“Employed in the position as heads of their departments shall curtail their outside jobs and devote their full time to their city job, with the exception of their involvement in regional collaborative efforts and organizations, and through said involvement, the performance of duties consistent with and in furtherance of their duties to and for the City.”

The amendment had its second reading at Thursday’s meeting, and with no opposition to it, it was carried unanimously by the council, thereby becoming effective. Councilwoman Connie Rockel, however, abstained from the vote.

The amendment came after Williamson Chief of Police C.D. Rockel was appointed as Commander of the Mingo County Drug Task Force.

Another ordinance was discussed, this one dealing with buildings and the city’s want to adopt international property codes, which help with building safety and other protocols.

City Attorney C. Christopher Younger said that the ordinance coincided with the city’s Unsafe Building Commission and its commissioner, Jerry Mounts. Younger said he was told by the State Fire Marshal’s office that the ordinance must be adopted, which would allow for Mounts to be certified in his position.

The council unanimously carried the ordinance’s first reading. The amendment will be published for the public to see in the future and a public meeting will be held shortly before the amendment’s second reading at the council’s next meeting. Copies of the ordinance will be available at city hall for the public to view. Further details of the ordinance were not immediately available.

City Clerk Frances Frye next discussed the special election on the Board of Parks and Recreation levy scheduled for March 9. Early voting for the levy begins Feb. 25.

She told the council that she had nominations for ballot commissioners and named them to the council. They were accepted with no opposition. A list of the names was not immediately available. Frye said that she would try to ave the same commissioners for the general election later this year.

Councilman York Smith encouraged the public to vote, noting last year’s low turnout.

“If you don’t vote, we don’t owe you nothing,” Smith said. “If you vote and lose your vote, at least you tried. That’s what’s wrong today. People don’t come out.”

Lastly, June Blevins, with the Williamson High School Reunion Committee, approached the council with details of this year’s reunion. The event was approved by the council to be held June 14-16. Blevins said 500 people attended last year and that she expected more this year. The event will be detailed as it draws closer.

The Williamson City Council meets every second and fourth Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at Williamson City Hall. The next meeting is set for Feb. 14. Meetings are open to the public.