Alderwoman Calls For End To ‘Trading Favors’

Ward 1 Alderwoman Margie Brine said Thursday the city must stop the practice of trading favors throughout the community.

Brine’s comments came during a discussion on the city possibly plowing snow at the Bourbon Area Community Center.

Ward 2 Alderwoman Sonya Sewald, who also serves on the BACC board, wondered if the city could work out an arrangement to have the parking lot plowed.

Mayor Dave Lafferty rejected it. 

Lafferty said the city was charged the full $125 fee for renting out the community center for a holiday party. He said they had not been charged in the past.

“We cleaned up and everything,” he said. “It’s not right. One day they’ll want something.”

Sewald said the community center wants to establish a good relationship with the city and doesn’t want Lafferty to be upset.

Brine stepped in and called for an end to any potential deal.

“Whatever you get, you pay for,” she said. “If the community center charges a fee, then we pay the fee. We have to stop with this trading favors. I see no problem with us being charged $125.”

Brine alluded to an earlier conversation that had taken place between the city and the fire district. The district is being charged for water for the first time in its history and the city believes it was nothing more than a handshake agreement that held the deal together for 46 years.

“People change places or seats and feelings get hurt,” she said. 

Sewald agreed and said the community center simply doesn’t want “bad blood” with Lafferty.

“There’s no bad blood,” Lafferty said. “I don’t believe in favoritism.”