By Nathan Prewett, For the Tribune
PINSON, Ala.–A discussion over the duties of Pinson Mayor Joe Cochran and his working relationship with Mayor Pro-tem Robbie Roberts became a divisive topic of discussion and led to a motion where Roberts was reelected to his position during a meeting of the city council on Thursday, Sept. 19.
Councilwoman Clinteshia Irvin. Photo by Nathan Prewett.
The meeting began with the usual pre-council discussion in which an item to adopt the 2024/2025 budget was again delayed, though this time due to Cochran being absent.
Eventually, Roberts said that he had submitted proposals to award grant funding to the three fire districts–Palmerdale, Center Point, and Glenwood–to Cochran but he had refused to put them on the agenda for unknown reasons.
“I do not believe that he has the authority to remove items from the agenda,” Roberts said. “If anyone of us wants to put something up, they should be entitled to submit it to the mayor and I think normally the clerk (Marie Turner) puts it together for him for us to discuss.”
Robert proposed that a first reading be held during the regular meeting to consider approving the grants. Turner said that Cochran mentioned in an email that they were “not in the budget” but that this was all she knew of the matter.
Roberts reiterated that Cochran should not have “veto power” on the council.
Shortly afterwards, Councilor Clinteshia Irvin proposed opening the floor to nominate a mayor pro-tem, saying that Councilor John Churchwell had recommended a two-year term for the position and that May was the mark of the supposed limit.
She then went on to criticize Roberts.
“I believe that your intentions are well but I think your motivation in these last couple of months has been to make (Cochran) look bad,” Irvin told Roberts. “And not necessarily from a place of making the city better.”
Roberts replied, “Well, I regret that you have taken my actions in that particular manner there on that.”
Councilor Glenda Kirkland clarified that she likes Cochran but said that he is “not going to nod at me up here and tell me how to vote.” She expressed support for Roberts and his stint so far on the council.
Irvin said that she is not questioning anyone on the council’s voting decisions, only “motivations.”
“But I don’t want you to vote for Mayor Joe Cochran,” Irvin told Kirkland. “We should be voting for the people. I want to make that very clear. We are all here for Pinson, not for the mayor.”
Councilor Brad Walker added that while a tenant of Pinson is that the mayor and council should work as a team, there has been contention from several members with Cochran.
Kirkland replied, “Well, I will admit I’ve had some contention with him but if he were to call you a bitch a lot, you know, in public and into my face, you would have some problems with him too.”
Roberts said that he had “serious” conversations with Cochran about his “behavior” and “lack of attention to detail” at City Hall, further adding that he is not often at the building due to his ALS condition, which affects his duties as mayor and that he can no longer function in that position.
“And it’s caused a lot of frustration on the part of the staff,” he said. “We’ve lost staff members. We will continue to lose staff members.”
He denied that his issues with the mayor are personal aspirations but was willing to have Irvin’s suggestion be added to the agenda. During further discussion Irvin said that the way the council and staff have been handling matters such as documentation has been causing problems in the past three to six months.
“We’re causing more drama than making progress for the city,” Irvin said.
A back and forth took place between Irvin and Roberts, with Roberts saying that Cochran does not answer him when he reaches out. Disagreements were voiced until the end of the pre-council.
During the regular meeting Irvin nominated Walker for mayor pro-tem.
Kirkland nominated Roberts, who was reelected after a 3-2 vote.
It was also noted that while the Palmerdale Fire District was promised $75,000 per year this payment has not been delivered. Newly elected Fire Board President Mary K. Graham later spoke and urged the council to consider passing a resolution to fund the district.
Roberts put forth the proposal for the first reading for the grant but there was no second for the motion, causing it to fail.
Pinson City Council meets on the first and third Thursdays of every month at City Hall on 4410 Main Street. Live-streamed meetings can be seen on the city’s Facebook page.
Nathan Prewett can be reached at nthomasp6@gmail.com.
