By Nathan Prewett
For the Tribune
ARGO – A special called meeting at Argo City Hall was canceled due to a lack of quorum when three city council members did not appear. The meeting’s purpose was to discuss the part-time status of Mike Platts, who is the Chief of the Argo Fire Department.
Around 15 people were in attendance at Argo City Hall on Wednesday night, including Platts. The meeting was set at 6 p.m. but Argo Mayor Betty Bradley allowed an additional five minutes for the three others who were not present at the council chambers.
Bradley then announced that the meeting was canceled due to a lack of quorum.
Councliors Tony Allredge, Ann Brown and the city attorney, J. Scott Barnett had all been present along with Bradley. Councilors Corky Massey, Ronnie Bowman and Ann Cowan did not come to the meeting.
The council has been divided on the issue of Platt’s status at the fire department. At a meeting on July 24, 2017, Platts requested that his position be classified as part-time as he took a full-time job with the Homewood Fire Department. After some debate the council voted to allow Platts a temporary status of part-time for a period of six months, to expire in January 2018.
The issue was brought up again at a meeting on Jan. 9 where a vote was called. The vote was tied and reverted Platts’ status to full time.
A regular meeting of the Argo City Council will be held on Feb. 12 at 7 p.m.