Fireworks likely at Helena-West Helena Council Meeting Tuesday

The Helena-West Helena City Council will meet in regular session on Tuesday, April 19, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall.

Mrs. Sandra P. Ramsey has provided copies of the agenda to the council members and press. Here's a quick tour of the agenda:


The big items on the agenda seem to be the budget, the override of Arnell Willis's veto where he defended the racist emails of Alderman Joe St. Columbia, a new resolution censuring Arnell Willis for paying himself $27000 more than the law allows, operating the city without a budget, and defending racist emails from St. Columbia. The council has also requested the presence of the Police Chief, the Parks and Recreation Director, and the Sanitation Director. Alderman Marvin Jarrett is also asking the Mayor to deliver reports detailing spending for the first three months of the year.

There is a petition being circulated for presentation to Governor Mike Beebe and City Clerk Sandi Ramsey asking for the resignation of Joe St. Columbia. Alderman St. Columbia continues to contend he did nothing wrong and Mayor Willis has said he owes no one an apology for the racist emails that St. Columbia has sent. St. Columbia is also chairman of the Mississippi River Parkway Commission and was appointed by Governor Mike Beebe.