A promise kept

It took several months, but Mayor Nelson and Councilor Crockett made good on their promise to resign from Lakeside city council, if the five councilors weren’t recalled.

A Lakesideinfo.com EDITORIAL

The following is a summation of what we believe lead to the resignations.

We at Lakesideinfo.com have not forgotten what ex-Mayor Orville Nelson, and ex-Councilor Tim Crockett have done to Lakeside. A legacy of indifferent ineptness lives on.

The promise

While campaigning to recall the five councilors and keep their own positions, Councilor Crockett and Mayor Nelson, went door-to-door (as part of their recall sales pitch) telling people they would resign rather than work with the five councilors, if they were retained on the council and not recalled.

Unsubstantiated claims

They, (along with their allies) made other claims to residents during the recall effort in Lakeland Estates while going door-to-door. They appeared adamant that the seniors were going to get kicked out of the senior center, (located at city hall) and sewer rates were going to double, if the five were retained. The self-serving claims lacked veracity as nothing of the kind had ever been discussed by the city council.

The recall was overwhelmingly defeated by the citizen’s of Lakeside, proving to be a wash, several thousands of dollars later the make up of the council remained the same.

Many believe the reason behind Nelson’s desire to recall the five councilors was because he held no sway over them. The newly elected five councilors wanted to follow State laws, Lakeside’s city charter, and city ordinances. That wasn’t the way Nelson operated his previous council.

Playing it fast and loose

As a result of his reckless governance the city was at risk of huge fines from DEQ. Also, they risked lawsuits by using unlawful hiring practices, state employment laws, and not following the open bidding laws.

Nelson was charged with allegedly giving friends large city contracts, without sealed competitive bids.

One of Nelson’s supporters, former councilor Harlon Green, is still under investigation by the State Ethics Commission.

Nelson claimed to hate politics in his resignation letter and Crockett maintained he lost his voice and vote. Both statements and sentiments can be understood, but for those paying close attention, those stated reasons don’t pass the smell test.

Politics were Nelson’s friend in his first term with his old council cronies, but it wasn’t fun anymore when the new councilors were elected and his ‘ yes’ men went away.

Crockett’s checkered tenure

Crockett had the same voice and vote opportunity that every member of the council has. Another stated reason for Crockett’s resignation was the City Attorney’s request that council members not have contact with Phil Heley, (the un-certified sewer superintendent/mechanic) because of his continued filing of tort claims against the city. Crockett doesn’t want anyone telling him whom he can or can’t talk with, not even the City Attorney.

Question

One can’t help but wonder if Nelson and Crockett were providing Phil Heley and his attorney fodder for his tort claims, which would not only be unethical, but illegal. After all they have given the appearance of doing whatever necessary to keep Heley on the payroll.

And, let us not forget that Councilor Tim Crockett, was investigated by the state ethics commission, admitted guilt, received a final order, and a letter of reprimand.

Last of the A-Team failing to stand behind contract with Lakeside

Last, but not least, Nelson and Crockett remained the last two on the council that did not stand behind their signed contract to you, when they ran for office with the A-Team.

As always Lakesideinfo.com invites Orville Nelson and Tim Crockett to write a response which we will post unedited.