Following the arrival of an early freeze, the Town of Oakland’s trustees gathered for their monthly meeting November 12 at Oakland Town Hall.
In attendance were trustees Kaye Idleman, John Moss, Bobby Pierce and Ercy Easley. Trustee Sam Dishman was absent.
The group voted 4-0 in favor of a motion to accept the consent agenda which included the October meeting minutes, October purchase orders and the Treasurer’s report for October.
They also voted on 2020 meeting and holiday schedules with both items passing by a unanimous vote.
Mayor John Moss spoke about changing his earlier decision to resign as mayor. Moss said at the time of his earlier decision he needed to take a break.
The motion to accept John Moss as mayor was approved by a vote of 4-0. The group agreed to have Bobby Pierce continue to serve as vice mayor after some playful banter.
Moss asked Easley if he wanted to be vice mayor. Easley declined.
City staff member Rhonda Whistlett jokingly asked Easley why he didn’t want to be vice mayor.
Easley’s replay was quick and almost quiet.
“Cause Bobby won’t let me,” he joked.
The response drew laughter from around the room.
After the meeting, Moss spoke briefly with the Madill Record about his change of heart.
“I had some medical issues going on,” he said. “The Veteran’s Administration makes me feel like guinea pig, but I’ve still got a lot of tests and stuff. I don’t have answers yet but hopefully in the near future I’ll get some answers; positive answers and get rid of some of this negative energy.”
Moss said he is also the primary caretaker for his wife, Geneva, who has dementia.
“She doesn’t recognize me,” he said. “It starts here and then goes.”
Moss said he had let some health issues creep up on him but was glad to be back among friends.