James Howell | Jefferson Post
Michelle Slaton was sworn in to fill the empty alderman’s position during Monday night’s Lansing Board of Aldermen meeting.
A new town alderman, Michelle Slaton, was welcomed to the board during Monday night’s Lansing Board of Aldermen meeting.
“There is one item that isn’t on the agenda we would like to get on with. Michelle Slaton has expressed an interest in being an alderman for the town of Lansing,” said Lansing Town Mayor George Rembert.
“So, we need to entertain that. We are one board member short, we have not made any progress toward anybody else, and have had no interest expressed by others,” said Rembert. “So would you like to discuss Michelle being an alderman?” asked Rembert to the board.
“Well first off, she’s expressed an interest, and like you said, we’ve not had anybody else jump in the waiting line for the job,” said Lansing Alderman Mauvine Shepherd.
Slaton has been a resident of Lansign for the last nine months, although becoming an alderman only requires an individual be a town resident for six weeks.
As of Monday’s meeting, it was undecided who’s vacant seat Slaton will be filling, whether it’s Mark Goss’ vacant seat, or Steve Greer’s. One of those seats is up up for election in November 2013.
“We can sort all that out later,” said Alderman Dylan Lightfoot.
“I make a motion that we accept Michelle Slaton to come on the board,” said Shepherd. Lightfoot seconded the motion, and Slaton was accepted as Lansing’s fifth alderman in a 4-0 vote.
Not one to waste time, Slaton took her new seat at the aldermen’s table to participate in the insuing discussions.
Cody Anderson, from Appalachian Landscapes and Nurseries, was selected from two other contractors to mow Lansing’s roadsides and public property. Anderson has mowed Lansing’s property for the last three years.
Anderson placed a bid for the project for $455 per job. The other two bids were from Jacob Gentry for $425 per job, and Tim Miller for $400 per job. Jobs are requested monthly.
According to Lansing Town Manager Bernice Prestwood, all three bidders have insurance, a necessity for contracting with a municipality. This insures any accidental damaged to property will be covered.
Anderson was selected because he is already familiar with Lansing’s landscaping, and he had been proven to complete his work in a timely manner.
“We do need it done and we need it done right and we need it done in a timely manner,” said Rembert, because well-maintained landscaping will leave visitors with a good impression of Lansing.
“Cody’s done it for us for three years, going on four, he’s always done a goob job. I think we should stick with Cody, cheaper’s not always better,” said Alderman Brenda Reeves. “I make a motion we give the contract to Cody.”
“I agree with Brenda, we know Cody, and he knows everybody here; I think we should stick with Cody,” said Slaton, “I second.”
In a 5-0 vote, the board unanimously chose to give the contract to Anderson.
In other business:
• The Lansing Board of Aldermen approved a donation of $2,500 to the Lansing Volunteer Fire Department to assist with insurance payments. These funds are already alotted in the town’s yearly budget.
• Anderson volunteered to donate finely-ground mulch and staples to restore Lansing Creeper Trail Park after last week’s heavy flooding.
• In a 5-0 vote, the board approved the purchase of weed killer and a weed-eater with a blade.
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