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Bush ready to step in, but gives town last chance

The Yankeetown council has been unable to reach a quorum for a third time and may need the governor to intervene.

By ELENA LESLEY
Published June 28, 2006

YANKEETOWN - Gov. Jeb Bush is prepared to intervene in Yankeetown's municipal anarchy, but he's giving the town one more chance, town attorney Kenneth Warnstadt says.

Warnstadt said he and Mayor Joanne Johannesson contacted the governor's office Monday after they were unable to make a quorum for a third council meeting on Friday.

Citizens had urged officials to try to schedule an emergency meeting instead of contacting the governor, but Warnstadt said he and the mayor viewed this suggestion as "a futile effort."

A regular council meeting is scheduled for Monday.

Warnstadt said the governor hoped Yankeetown's problems could be resolved at the local level.

"The governor intervening is kind of a nuclear option," he said. "He's prepared, but he's giving the town one last chance."

Council member Mary Pate said she had not been notified of any upcoming council meetings.

It's unclear at this point whether the council has a quorum. Council member Dan Bowman gave a verbal resignation Friday night. Roger Myrick had rescinded a resignation to make quorum for Friday's meeting, but decided not to participate after residents questioned the legality of that action.

If Bowman and Myrick are no longer on the council, that would leave the body with only two voting members - one short of a quorum.

Town Hall has been closed this week, because there is no town clerk.

If the council cannot muster a quorum for Monday's meeting, Warnstadt said he will contact the governor's office again.

"Maybe they'll say 'give it one more try,' " he said. "Or maybe they'll say, 'nuts with it.' "

Elena Lesley can be reached at 564-3627 or elesley@sptimes.com.

[Last modified June 28, 2006, 07:57:20]