Pacolet Town Council meets in wake of police force departure. Here's what to know
The town of Pacolet held its monthly town council meeting Thursday night, a little less than a month after a mass exodus from the police department.
Last month, three Pacolet police resigned and another was arrested by SLED for misconduct in office.
District 2 Councilman Daniel Hood said Thursday marked the highest citizen turnout he has seen at a council meeting. Roughly 25-30 citizens sat scattered around the modestly-sized town hall, in contrast to the usual "3 to 4 regulars."
"I turn 42 next year, and this is the most media coverage I've ever seen of this town," Hood said.
Notable events from the meeting included:
Attempted motion to vote on town administrator's contract termination denied, legitimacy of prior vote questioned
On Sept. 6, a vote was held on whether or not to fire the town administrator, Patrick Kay. The vote resulted in a 3-3 tie, with one member of the council absent. The motion did not pass, and the town ultimately retained the town administrator.
Former Pacolet Police Chief John Alexander and Hood have spoke about "resistance" and a hostile work environment that interfered with police operations, while Hood described "friction" caused by a member of town government.
During Thursday's meeting, District 3 Councilmember Theresa Sexton attempted a motion to reconsider the vote to terminate the town administrator's contract, but the motion was denied due to failing to follow a town procedure that states only a member of the prevailing side of a previous vote may make a motion to reconsider. Sexton had voted in favor of the motion to terminate Sept. 6, making her ineligible to motion to reconsider.
Pacolet citizen Brian Bozard spoke during the citizen comments section of the meeting, citing a section of Pacolet's town code that questions the legitimacy of a Sept. 6 vote.
Pacolet Municipal Code Section 2-55(b) states: "Every member of Council present, including the Mayor or presiding member, shall vote on every question, except when required to refrain from voting by state law. Any voluntary abstention from voting shall be recorded in the minutes as a vote in favor of the motion."
The section of the municipal code appears to indicate that one council member's abstention should have been taken in favor of the motion to terminate the town administrator. The Council did not comment.
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One citizen demands answers to police resignation
Bozard also demanded answers in writing by Oct. 17 about the reasons why the police department resigned.
"When things come up like that, if we're gonna vote, we'd like to hear why: yes or no," Bozard said. "With the recent resignations of the town police department, which is gonna be a big topic tonight, I believe, the word 'transparency' comes to mind."
"The council has not been transparent to the press or the citizens. I ask that the town provide a statement tonight or in the near future to the [town's citizens]."
Previously, Alexander spoke about "resistance" from town leaders, as well as "hostile" conditions in town hall when he turned in his badge and gun on Sept. 14.
“We listened to and worked with our citizens to provide the type of protection they deserve, and unfortunately, with change you will meet resistance. The resistance from leaders who know what’s right, yet are too afraid to let go of the old ways,” Alexander said.
When will Pacolet have a new police chief? What is the town's law enforcement status?
Organizing a selection committee to review resumes for Interim Police Chief candidates was discussed.
"I'd rather, if possible, do this before the November council meeting so we have time to interview and make a selection," said Jason Wright, District 1 Councilmember.
Kay said a short list of candidates would hopefully be ready by next week, allowing the council to move forward with interviews and possibly calling executive session to discuss the position search.
"I know they are, especially considering government and how the wheels turn slow, they are moving swiftly on trying to restore a new police chief," Hood said after the meeting. "I know they've gotten several applications. Hopefully, that's a good sign."
Hood hopes an interim chief will be appointed at the November town council meeting.
Hood said he has seen more Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office patrol cars in the area than usual. The Sheriff's Office is responding to calls in municipal Pacolet. Hood doesn't believe response time or emergency response has been severely affected.
"The town hasn't suffered in any way," Hood said.
This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: Pacolet Town Council meets in wake of police force departure
