City Utilities Commission fires GM Jim Williams on 2-1 vote

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Chairman Robert Flowers, in protest, announces he'll resign; he had no vote. Three Bell appointees split 2-1 over the decision. Chairman Flowers would have voted against action

By Ed Waggener
ColumbiaMagazine.com story

Jim Williams, General Manager of the Columbia Utilities Commission was fired on a 2-1 vote of the Columbia Utilities Commission after a lengthy meeting, which started at 10:00amCT and was not over until 11:30amCT, Monday, February 18, 2008.

The vote came on a motion by Commissioner James F. Harper, seconded by Commissioner June Parson, to fire Williams for, "shutting down" the existing Columbia Water Plant.


But Commissioner David Wells disagreed about what definition of a shut down was, and voted against the measure. Board Chairman Robert Flowers, could not vote on the issue, but made it clear he was against the action, announced that he was resigning.

The 2-1 decision came while the board was operating with only four members. Mayor Pat Bell had ended Commissioner Ronnie Rogers term in October, but had not nominated a replacement.

All three of the members who voted were appointed by Mayor Bell. Robert Flowers was the only pre-Bell administration member on the board.

Following the vote, Chairman announced that the meeting was adjourned and left.

Mayor Bell has not indicated who might be appointed to fill two vacancies which now exist.



This story was posted on 2008-02-18 11:53:50