Posted 6:59 am Friday, October 17, 2008
Quitman City Council Repeals Funeral Fees At Residents' Urging
By COSHANDRA DILLARD
Staff Writer
Staff Writer
QUITMAN -- A spirited group of Quitman citizens claimed a small victory Thursday night when council members voted to repeal an ordinance that had many in the town irritated. In September, council members voted to pass an ordinance that would require a $25 funeral procession fee and a $10 fee per car for city police escorts, amounting to $45.
After hearing from seven citizens on the matter during open comments, the council did away with the ordinance, a decision greeted with applause.
Council members Randy Bennett and Kelly Cole motioned to repeal the ordinance while Troy Robinson and J.R. Evans were against the repeal. Mayor Sam Lange agreed with Cole and Bennett, breaking the tie.
Led by resident Ronnie Wilson, a group of about 25 was pleased its presence helped council members repeal the ordinance.
Wilson, armed with a 22-foot-long petition signed by hundreds of Wood County residents, was the first to address the council.
"Quitman has managed to financially survive," Wilson said. "We will continue to successfully survive without these required fees and permits."
Wilson said he called other small cities in East Texas and that none required a fee for funeral processions and escorts. He said it took him a week to gather the signatures, many of whom lived outside of Quitman's city limits. He was surprised to see people show up in support, he said.
"I specifically asked that they not come here tonight but I'm proud that they showed up," he said.
At least six other people expressed their opinion of the ordinance, including funeral home owner Dwayne Lowe.
Lowe, a 25-year resident of the town, said he did not believe the fees were necessary, but he did not want the controversy surrounding the opposition to the ordinance to pull the town apart.
"I don't want us to get a small town political image that will erupt and cause problems in the city," he said.
All citizens in attendance acknowledged it was reasonable that citizens provided the city with at least a 24-hour notice upon requesting a police escort.
Some residents felt there would have been more vocal opposition before the ordinance was passed had they known about it when it was initially discussed.
Evans felt citizens had plenty of time to address the matter before it was passed, stating there were public budget meetings and hearings posted. There was also a 60-day hold before it would have become effective in November.
Wood County resident John Abreu said there were some issues that needed to be fought against, but the fees proposed in the ordinance were not a high priority.
"The city is in an economic shortfall," Abreu said. "The only reason to raise taxes, fees and all that is to make up for an economic shortfall. I understand what y'all have done. I appreciate the city of Quitman and I love the city of Quitman. Until we have more businesses that produce more revenue in the town until that happens, the city has to make up the shortfall. That's just basic economics."
Council members said they were pleased citizens came out to participate in their local government. Robinson said he felt the ordinance would have been beneficial to the city's operational budget, but said the council "stands united."
"We were in a very tough budget situation and had to make some tough decisions," Robinson said. "I feel like it was very nominal compared to the cost of a funeral."
City manager Michael Hall said a lot of misinformation led to the controversy, including the manner in which the ordinance would be implemented.
"There is a gross mischaracterization out there of what this might look like," he said before the evening's meeting. "The intent was not to have a bereaving widow come down to city hall and fill out a permit."
Wilson said he is proud of his fellow Quitman citizens and would be more involved in local government.
"It makes me pay more attention to what they are doing," he said. "We have a good town. When they pass ordinances, they should ask, is it good for Quitman? That's the question they need to ask."
