Riceboro Mayor Joseph Harris held a town-hall meeting on Aug. 10, to speak directly to his constituents and clarify ongoing issues. The meeting was held at the Riceboro Youth Center. No current councilmembers appeared to be in attendance.

Mayor Harris said it’s unfortunate that a current City councilmember is purposefully working in direct opposition to nearly everything he recommends or proposes.

“I am saddened to hear that instead of unifying, or working together with the ideas and the plans for the City, that he would try to oppose anything that I said or did,” he said without naming the Councilmember. “The City government does not work well if we don’t work together. I am aware that a particular gentleman had vowed, in fact he came to my office, that he would not work with me at all.”

Harris is likely referring to Councilman John Young, who in a town-hall meeting held July 15, openly stated that the council should oppose everything Harris requests.

Harris said the Councilmember has even gone door to door asking residents to not support the Mayor.

During the meeting the Mayor said the focus of his administration is the economic development of the City and increased housing. He said the City needs the unified support of the Council but noted some do not share the same objective.

“This individual has visited my private residence,” Harris said. “He has also visited employees personal and private residences as well unannounced. I believe he wants to be in control over people and not necessarily matters of the City. I have asked this individual to make sure that we follow charter and policy and that we do not invade people’s individual private space or homes.”

But Harris said he plans to reinforce his plans and objectives with his constituents by hosting more town hall meetings and information forums. He wants to open the dialogue and continue to have meaningful discussions with Councilmembers so they can learn to work together and find compromises to situations as needed.

“I think that challenges are great opportunities,” Harris said.

The Mayor also addressed the accusations that he was using the City vehicle for personal reasons.

“There is a clause that names personal use of the vehicle by the Mayor and City Manager,” he said noting that the accusations against him have been grossly exaggerated. Harris said he has not violated any policies and reiterated that it is some of the Councilmembers who are not following the City charter as required.

When questioned by a reporter Harris said Malinda McIver was fired because he was concerned for his safety and the safety of the employees of the City.

“Her son has in fact stalked me and harassed me,” Harris said. “He has posted many social media posts. He has also come to my home and to my place of employment. He continues to come to City Council meetings. He wears shirts that have my picture on them. He is very aggressive in that he just wants to continue to harass me in any way, shape or form.”

Fearing for his safety Harris got a restraining order served on McIver’s son.

Harris said he doesn’t agree with McIver’s lawyer, Elizabeth Beasley, when she stated that no credible reason for the termination was provided. Harris said there were letters of misconduct and insubordination in McIver’s file. He said the Council elected to remove some of the letters and maintain, “Three-to four of them,” the Mayor said.

He said the town-hall was to clear up what he thought were personal attacks. He said there are a lot of things the Council is doing that doesn’t meet the City Charter.

“For example, you had a meeting, and I didn’t know what the meeting was about,” Harris said referring to the previous town-hall meeting. “No concerns had been brought to my attention. No accusations of mismanagement or funds being miss-allocated. There was nothing. And it was expressed through a particular Councilmembers or individual who just made it quite obvious that no matter what I did they were opposed to it.”

Harris said McIver was also upset when he suggested they place a contract, currently awarded to McIver, to be opened for bidding.

Harris didn’t mention the details of the contract but said a contract was awarded to McIver in 2013 and she did not like the fact that Harris thought it would be best to open that contract to bid.

“So, it would be fair and equitable for all those in that job and that assignment,” he said without specifying what the contract was for. “With that said some Councilmembers have expressed that they just want to give it to her. I expressed that according to the law, especially when there is a certain amount involved, that we must open that up so that all the public might be aware and have an opportunity.”

Someone at the meeting asked why he rehired McIver. He said he followed the advice of City Attorney John Pirkle.

Harris said through prayers and common ground, he thinks they can come together for the sake of the City. He also encouraged folks to make public statements at the Council meetings.