Cairo mayor's request for police aid goes unanswered when officers get called away

~ Tuesday's meeting featured accusations, little action from opposing sides.

CAIRO, Ill. -- During a confrontation between Mayor Paul Farris and Councilman Joseph Thurston on Tuesday, Farris sought police help to eject his antagonist, but none were on hand.

Officers usually attend the meetings in uniform, providing security by checking for weapons at the door. Police had left the meeting on a call just prior to the dispute between Farris and Thurston, who is councilman-at-large and elected in a citywide vote.

The argument came toward the end of the public portion of the meeting, when Farris was seeking council approval of a committee to draft a budget for the current year. Thurston challenged Farris' spending habits, noting that many items are currently costing far more than the council has approved.

For example, the council allocated $12,000 for a city attorney, but the contract Farris signed with Patrick Cox calls for payments that would total $106,000 annually.

As the dispute became heated, Thurston told Farris to "shut up and listen."

At that point, Farris said, "Get an officer."

After several more requests, Farris realized the police had left and he sought to calm matters by having Cox explain the legal requirements for a budget.

The flare-up settled, council members returned to the routine of Farris seeking approval for agenda items and receiving little cooperation.

Council members did approve three items. They accepted a $10,307 grant for the police department, authorized Cox to seek ways of turning a crumbling old school building into cash by selling the salvage rights and OK'd a measure requiring that money borrowed against future taxes be paid within five days of the taxes being received.

The meeting, however, was consumed for most of the hour as members met with a recitation of past and current slights from the mayor with a response from Farris that he faced a concerted effort to thwart him.

For example, the agenda included minutes from nine meetings that have not been approved, bills from four months that have not been approved and payroll for six pay periods that have not been approved.

Councilwoman Linda Jackson, who Farris ignored when she tried to speak during his opening remarks, stated why she's unwilling to work with the mayor.

"I don't know when I can or can't speak at my own meeting," she said. "When you need me you call on me, when you don't need me you ignore me. I am confused as to my existence at this very meeting."

Farris, unwilling to let the statement pass, replied a few minutes later: "I know you are confused. You have been confused since 2002."

Jackson, along with council members Bobby Whitaker, Sandra Tarver and Elbert "Bo" Purchase have not been paid since December. They announced they would boycott meetings with Farris at that time but changed course in early January.

rkeller@semissourian.com

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