Walking Out...

I covered the city council meeting Tuesday, which I don't get to do too often. And aside from the business that was handled, I noticed how many of the city council members decided to leave before the meeting was adjourned. Perhaps, they all had a pressing family emergency, but no look of concern covered their faces as they were leaving. Well, actually, that's not totally accurate. Henry Ficklin left the meeting after taking questions about an ordinance coming out of the appropriations committee concerning professional fees for people working in the city. He and Councilwomen Brenda Youmas engaged in an informative and entertaining exchange, during which Ficklin became so annoyed, that after he finished with his committee report, he abruptly left the meeting-- missing several key votes that evening, including ones to increase business and occupational taxes. Alveno Ross and James Timley dipped out early also; I think they stayed for the business tax votes. By the end of the meeting Ward 3 only had one council member to represent them, Council President Anita Ponder.