A seemingly routine Picayune City Council meeting turned for the worse when Councilor Larry Breland lashed out at fellow Councilors.
The meeting escalated when the Council considered combining the $9,464 in remaining funding from last year’s sidewalk project with more than $13,900 in the Westside Fund to conduct repair work to failing sidewalks in Breland’s precinct.
Public Works Director Eric Morris estimated it would cost $21,000 to fix all of the sidewalks Breland would like repaired.
The proposed project would repair sidewalks from the corner of Weems Street to Davis Street and from Davis Street to Rosa Street.
During discussion of the matter, Mayor Ed Pinero expressed concern with the motion because the Council already indicated it would not fund capital outlay projects this fiscal year.
He suggested the $13,900 already in the Westside Fund could be used to fix as much of the sidewalks as possible, while the $9,464 left from last year’s sidewalk work could help fund a proposed project to build a fitness center near the Picayune Police Department for the department’s use.
Breland became visibly irritated by the suggestion, saying that any time a project is suggested for precincts II or IV, the vote fails, but projects in other areas of the city pass without opposition. Breland represents precinct IV, and Councilor Lynn Bogan Bumpers represents precinct II. They are the only black members of the Council. Bumpers was absent from Tuesday’s meeting.
Without directly saying the matter is racially charged, Breland said, “It’s pigmentation. It’s wrong.”
Breland then said that the Council “making decisions like this is playing with fire and is going to end up costing the city some money.”
When Councilor Tammy Valente attempted to ask Breland a question about the matter, he snapped at her, saying it was rude to interrupt while he was speaking.
Valente fired back, saying she and Councilor Janice Miller Stevens had come to the meeting with open minds, seriously considering backing his request, but he appeared to assume members of the Council already made up their minds.
Stevens also added a comment, saying, “You do realize there are no sidewalks in Roseland Park at all.”
After the charged discussion ended, Breland requested a roll call vote. Councilors Wayne Gouguet, Valente and Stevens along with Pinero all voted against moving the remaining $9,464 to the Westside Fund, while Breland voted for the matter.
In a separate matter, the Council approved a motion to award T.L. Wallace the contract to conduct water system improvements along Fourth Avenue, Eighth Street, Sealcrest Drive, Pine Street, River Road and Goodyear Boulevard from Main Street to Quince Street.
Morris said the work will address low pressure and leaking issues with the water system.
Shane Smith, the general manager for the Picayune Wendy’s, addressed the Council about his intention to hold a Trunk or Treat event at Friendship Park on Halloween from 5 to 8 p.m. He said he is gathering support for the event from local businesses, but so far Pizza Hut and Winn Dixie have expressed interest.
The next Council meeting will be Oct. 18 at 5 p.m. in City Hall.