BY ANDY TAYLOR
chronicle@taylornews.org
A Coffeyville city commissioner on Tuesday sought the resignation of Jeff Morris as city manager.
Morris remained quiet during commissioner Jim Taylor, Sr.’s allegations that Morris had not done his job well. Taylor specifically mentioned the “sloppy work of staff” in the lease agreement between the City of Coffeyville and Coffeyville Community College as a reason for having Morris replaced.
Taylor also said that everything involving the City of Coffeyville had “turned into a mess” because of the city staff and a majority of the city commission that follows the staff’s lead.
“We don’t have anything going on that isn’t a mess,” said Taylor.
Taylor’s allegations brought the strongest words of the year from fellow city commissioners.
“This perception that this city is in a horrible mess: this is just your perception,” said commissioner Richard Gonzales, his voice raising against Taylor. “I have managed to be on this commission for five years going on six, and I thought we did a tremendous job in that time including recovering from a flood. But, when you get elected as a commissioner, all of the sudden we’re not worth the $7.69 that we’re getting paid per month to be here.”
Taylor said he was elected after he felt he was denied public input on a proposed housing complex on First Street. Taylor was adamantly opposed to the proposed housing complex, which subsequently was eliminated, and was required to present his concerns in person to the state officials in Topeka.
“I will remain the same kind of person when I started,” said Taylor.
Mayor Alec Hendryx voiced strong resentment against Taylor’s concerns and Taylor’s weekly letters to the editor in the Coffeyville Journal.
“Your perception in your letters, which I consider garbage, are that when things don’t go your way, you feel ignored,” said Hendryx. “That’s a lousy attitude. That’s not a place for cooperation. We know sometimes we agree, sometimes we don’t. But, most of the time, you dig your heels in and you are totally unreasonable.
“A lot of the letters are the same song 52nd verse. You misrepresent things all the time. All you are trying to do is pit the public against the staff and commission. It’s not positive and does not do anything for the betterment of the city.”
Prior to the exchange of words between Taylor and commissioners, Taylor suggested that a letter of support be signed by the commission for Coffeyville Resources, the community’s largest employer. Taylor make his suggestion in wake of an advertisement campaign by Coffeyville Resources to dispel myths about the corporation’s commitment to the Montgomery County area.
Taylor said Coffeyville Resources should not have been put in a position to defend itself.
Coffeyville Resources currently is appealing its tax assessment for its nitrogen fertilizer plant and also is involved in a lawsuit against the City of Coffeyville concerning the electrical rates assessed by the City. The advertisements make no mention of the lawsuit but do present the corporation’s justification in protesting its property tax assessment.
Regardless of the litigation involving Coffeyville Resources, the City of Coffeyville was firmly in support of the corporation, commissioners said.
“I did not know we were in bad standing in our relationship with Coffeyville Resources,” said commissioner Richard Gonzales. “I always thought we bent over backwards to be as congenial as possible. I do not feel like we have to apologize for something we have not done.”
Taylor said a letter of support to Coffeyville Resources would restore civility between the City of Coffeyville and the community’s largest employer.
“I think you are making a lot of things up,” said Mayor Alec Hendryx about Taylor’s request.
