Agenda item number 10 on the docket of the agenda of the monthly meeting of the Cannon County Commissioners meeting Saturday read: “Talk with Homeland Security Director Faye Morse” The Commissioners found it hard to talk to her since she didn’t show up. However she sent an email to County Executive Mike Gannon that Commissioner Tony Neal read It stated effective Monday October 22nd at 12 noon she is resigning as Cannon County Fire Chief, a position that she has held since 1994. Before the topic was over however, that position was not the only position that was in question. The Commissioners unanimously approved a motion that would have the Commission Chairman Bob Stoetzel tell Cannon County Executive Mike Gannon that the Commission demand she be relieved of her duties as EMA Director of Cannon County as well. The letter went on to state that she recommended the appointing of Michael Underhill to be the new Fire Chief upon her resignation. The Commission accepted this appointment. The motion was fueled by Commissioner Todd Hollandsworth who made a motion that was also unanimously approved that disbanded the current Homeland Security Board. It was shared with the rest of the commissioners that last Tuesday night the Homeland Security met and only three members attended. Furthermore the meeting was conducted without any type of public notice. Commissioner Hollandsworth said that there needs to be a local board since grant money is still being distributed but that an overhaul was definitely needed. In November’s meeting the Commissioners will reform the board and appoint new members. Then 911 Director Roy Sullivan approached the Commission. Mr. Sullivan presented the Commission with a 12 page report which chronicled some of the problems either with communication with EMA Director Morse, or accessing various emergency equipment that Morse houses at her residence and possible fraud. In the report a 2006 Ford F-250 was purchased in May of 2006. The vehicle has been inoperable for almost two years for an unexplained reason. The County previously agreed to maintain or repair the truck, although the commission was not aware of the maintenance agreement to begin with. Morse signed off on the agreement however. Documentation later shows that it was listed as a trade in on another vehicle in 2011. The trade in value was listed as $2000 but the purchase price was over $30,000 to begin with. Even though the registration shows it registered to Cannon County Emergency Management, the truck is parked on Director Faye Morse’s property. Documentation shows Cannon County is paying full coverage for this vehicle’s insurance. Another truck is being questioned as well. A truck was purchased through grant money with the stipulation that it was to be used exclusively for moving equipment and personnel too and from an incident. It is not to be used for administrative purposes. There are reports that the truck has been driven around town on a regular basis which is not what it was intended for. After reading the 12 page report, coupled by the fact that the Commissioners have repeatedly asked for a complete inventory list and still have not received one from Ms. Morse, the motion was made and unanimously approved giving Morse a vote of no confidence. The report and other documents will be turned into the State Comptroller’s office so that the State can come in and research for possible fraud violations. In other actions of the Commission, the Board approved to appoint Roy Parker to the Cannon County Board Of Education. Parker was a previous member of the board but retired. Coach Mike Mayfield filled the position until he passed away last month from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.
The Commission approved the budget amendments for the Library, County Garage and Capital Outlay. They also approved a community development block grant that would add water lines on Basham Ridge, Finnie Simmons Road and the Backside of Lake Anne Road.
