Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout11271931Special Meeting 8: o'clock p.m. November 27, 1931 Mayor Geo. T. Badger issued the following letter: Honorable City Councilmen, Sebastian, Florida. Dear Sirs: I hereby call a special meeting of your honorable Body to meet at 8 o'clock p.m., Friday November 27, at the City Hall for the purpose of considering petitions from Citizens, also waterway. Respectfully yours, Mayor, City of Sebastian. Roll Call: Mayor Councilmen Clerk At to rne y Geo. T. Badger W. A. Martin, President R. G. Hardee S. ~. Park L. 0. Baughman T. B. Hicks Lenora K. Park James T. Voc elle Mayor Geo. T. Badger addressed the Council with reference to the dredge boat, which is located near here pumping the spoil bank on the West side of the channel, which is contrary to the wishes of the City Council and also to the letter received from the engineering department in Jacksonville, signed by Col Frazler. He also told of talking with Captain Bartlett who informed him that their contract called for du~.ping their spoil bank on the west side of the channel, but after Mayor Badger showed him correspondence fr~m the Jacksonville office, Captain Bartlett advised that Mr. Sparks Vice President of Clark Dredging Company who has the contract for this work will be here within a few days and he suggested that the matter be taken up with him before taking it up with the Jacksonville off lc e. A petition was presented from the citizens of the City of Sebastian to the Mayor and City Counct~t asking that they consider the acts of H. E. Ashburner, Constable, in the 1st District of Indian River County, such that he has shown himself to be an unfit person to serve in such official capacity and asking for their cooperation auel support in requesting the Governor of the State of Florida in removing him from his office. 17 of the signers Eade the assertion that h~ was wholly unfit for the office, some of the points bought out were.: C. 0. Weston, of the Indain River Fisheries stated that he considered him an unfit person to bear arms or make an arrest, that he was a coward and invariably carried someone along with him to make an arrest he also ~Wel~.~i. upon his inability to hold office. The Majority of the complainants who were called upon answered by saying, Mr. Weston's remarks expressed their sentiments and they agrred with him that he is an unfit man for the office. $~ H. Harrison, local merc~aant stated that he had customers in his store that day who advised him they would be forced to close their account and quit trading with him because Ashburner had told them to stay off the streets, he also stated that he turns the corner at such a high rate of speed in his automobile that he expected to see him ring the tires from his car. Otis Peacock told of having reported to the Mayor for the protection of his child to call Ashburners attention to his fast and reckless driving in front of his house, he also stated that Ashburner admitted doting 45 miles an hour past his house. R. G. Anderson, also stated he had complained to the ~Mayor of Ashburner's reckless driving in front of his house and insists that his car would be out of control if he tried to stop before he could possibly keep from striking his children should they be ~n the street. E. L. Winney, local agent for the Florida Power & Light Company stated that from his familys standpoint if no other he sh~ld'~be~removed from office as he considered him an unfit person to carry a gun as he is of a very nervous disposition and liable to do da. mage to others. Continuation of special meeting of November 27, 1931. R. N. Rozier, Section foreman of the Florida East Coast Railwey Company stated that he did not consider &shburner the man for the place nor did he vote for him in the election and does not know as he would at the next election but he suggested that before filing any petitions against him that they wait until the next election and let him be automatically removed. He also stated that the Jackson negroes should be run out of town. He was asked the direct question by Councilman Hardee if he thought Ashburner was a fit man for constable and he said: NO. RES0LUTTON /0 { The follo~ng Resolution was introduced by Councilman Hardee, seconded by Councilman Park: Whereas, a petition has been duly presented to the City Council of the City of Sebastian, Florida signed by numerous citizens and taxpayers of said City urging the City Council's aid in securing the removal from office as constable of the 1st District of Indian River County of H. E. Ashburner, and Whereas, the City Council has investigated' the charges against said H. E. &shburner and as the result of said investigation believe that sai~ H. E. Ashburner is an incompetent person to continue as constable. Therefore Be It Resolved by the City Council of the City of Sebastian that the ~$e?erhQri'~f..~be~.S~mSe of Florida be and ~e is hereby requested to remove(~ said H. E. Ashburner from his said office. The foregoing resolution being put to a vote was adopted as follows: .Ayes: Councilmen Hardee, Park, Hicks, and Martin. Nays: None. Notion made by Councilman ~ark, seconded 'by Councilman Hardee that Council adjourn. Motion carried.