MILTON — Mary Ellen Johnson was sworn into the City Council during a special meeting Tuesday night, but first came adversity.
Johnson’s qualifications, particularly her home’s location, were questioned before newly elected council members Peggi Smith, Jeff Snow and Casey Powell were sworn in.
Councilman Alan Lowery challenged Johnson’s legitimacy based on documents he received before the meeting. He then presented those documents to City Attorney Heather Lindsay.
Lindsay said the envelope contained copies of public records regarding where Johnson lives along with a printout from a Facebook page. She said the documents presented to Lowery were not sufficient evidence to substantiate a complaint.
However, Mayor Wesley Meiss suggested opening discussion on the issue.
“This is entirely inconsistent with anything this council has done in the past, Mr. Mayor and I am at a loss to why you are handling this in this manner,” Lindsay said.
Meiss said the action was procedure within Robert’s Rule of Orders. However, Lindsay said the council has never adopted Robert’s Rules of Order. She said Johnson had the right to take her seat on the council, adding such a complaint regarding Johnson’s qualifications should have been raised before the general election.
“There is no one else to take her place,” Lindsay said. “(Johnson) remains qualified and eligible to serve in her position. This is not a complaint that has merit whatsoever and it should have been raised before the election.”
In November’s general election, Johnson defeated Cara Schepper to keep her Ward II seat. Lindsay said Johnson’s qualifications have already been verified between herself and City Clerk Dewitt Nobles.
Johnson also objected to the accusations.
“I live in Ward II,” she said. “All of my paperwork is in order. I have been harassed by the mayor, by Alan Lowery and by an election team member that was out there running for election.”
Johnson said she cares for an autistic family member who has been sick and, on occasion, has stayed overnight at the family member’s home. Johnson said she lives at and pays property taxes on the Barnes Street home, which is located in Ward II. Johnson said she has lived at the property for many years.
“I pay all kind of mortgages on Barnes Street; that is where I live and I know that people have been snooping around and I can identify everyone of them,” Johnson said in a loud tone. “It is on the grace of God that allows me not to be as ugly to them as they have been to me. I will continue to pray on this.”
Meiss still wanted to take the same action.
“There is an order of process,” Meiss said. “There was a point of order called … and there is complaint that has been filed and your qualification is not without challenge.”
Lindsay again questioned the mayor’s actions.
“The public records show that there is no legitimate basis to this challenge and that means that this challenge is simply theatre and I object to what you are doing,” she said.
Council Member Ashley Lay objected to Meiss’ actions by motioning to discuss voting in Johnson during the special meeting.
“I prefer that we resolve this and swear in our elected council,” she said. “(Johnson) was qualified before she even ran; it was checked before she even ran. I don’t believe this is a valid reason to dismiss someone that was duly elected.”
Fellow council member Sharon Holley agreed.
“I think that Johnson has the same privilege as everybody else that was sworn in,” Holley said. “She was elected by a majority of the people and I actually think this entire thing is absolutely ridiculous and it should be shameful that it is handled in this manner.”
Lay motioned to swear in Johnson; Holley seconded. Johnson abstained; Lowery and Smith voted nay. Johnson was sworn in at the special meeting; the ceremony was met with applause from those attending the meeting.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: ‘ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS … SHAMEFUL’