In a pair of controversial moves, Quitman city aldermen removed two Quitman Development Corporation (QDC) board members, President Randy Bennett and board member Glenn Hanner.

The council voted to remove Bennett on a 4-1 vote with J.R. Evans opposing. The Hanner vote was 2-2 with Evans and Brad Medlin voting to keep Hanner while David Dobbs and Jack Robinson cast their vote for removal. Susan Resnik abstained from voting and Mayor Randy Dunn broke the tie casting his vote to remove Hanner.

Kevan Burroughs, Martha Scroggins and Dunn were approved to continue on the board. Dunn is the vice president. Hanner’s term had ended.

“I will be one of the first to say Dr. Bennett is one of the strongest and most committed citizens when it comes to supporting our town,” Dunn said. “He is absolutely all in. The decision to remove Dr. Bennett from the QDC board was a very difficult decision. It was brought before the council after a lot of thoughts and prayers. The council made the decision after learning of matters that were not brought to the board,” Dunn explained. “In the past two years, Dr. Bennett was made aware of matters that needed to be brought before our board. Thinking it was the best way to address, he opted to handle them himself. Therefore, it was not acted on by the board. The board members were very capable of making good decisions on matters that were not put on the agenda.”

Dunn added, “Another area of concern was the attitude of ‘them vs. us’ when it came to the city. There was a lack of trust toward the city due to something that happened nearly 20 years ago,” Dunn said. “Early 2019, the city received an extra billing from our auditing firm in the amount of $2,500. This was due to a major delay receiving requested documents from QDC. The city paid the bill then requested a reimbursement from QDC. The QDC board members voted to pay the city back with Dr. Bennett voicing the only opposing vote.”

Bennett said, “I’m proud of the 15 years, seven as a city council member and another eight years on the QDC. It’s been a pleasure to serve the folks of Quitman. It has never been about people but it’s been about serving the city. I hope we have done right for the people. I was surprised the other day when I was released from my duties as president of the QDC. I had no contact with mayor (Dunn) or the mayor pro tem (David Dobbs) since the last meeting we had. It was a total surprise. They didn’t give me the due diligence to even come talk to me.”

Bennett said the QDC and the city have been moving forward. “We have won several awards the past couple of years…. It hasn’t always been easy. I guess the middle of the night kind of thing really did surprise me. It’s not about me and I hope the people still on the QDC board will move on with some of the things on the agenda we have been working toward with the business park and finishing up downtown,” Bennett said. “The thing people wanted to see the most was the downtown restoration and renovation and I think we have made a significant impact on that. We had a good team put together until the powers that be decided to change that.”

The council met in a workshop prior to the meeting Thursday to discuss the incoming board members. QDC board members were not informed of the workshop except for Dunn and Dobbs who are also on the city council. “None of the people except the QDC board members on the council knew anything about it. I sure didn’t,” Bennett added. “I think they wanted me out because I was one they couldn’t push around. I believe you have to be a man of your word and you have to do the right thing and not everyone must believe that.”

QDC Executive Director Denea Hudman was also caught by surprise. “I was shocked, surprised and certainly disappointed in the outcome of Thursday’s council meeting,” Hudman said. “I was not asked for any input in making this decision or notified of the potential outcome. The decision was out of my hands.” 

In other matters, the council approved three inter-local agreements. The council approved an agreement between Wood County and the city of Quitman to provide library services to the city and county. The agreement calls for Wood County to pay the city $8,000 for one year for services rendered. The local library will provide library cards and free library services to county residents to the same extent and with the same privileges and responsibilities as are provided to city residents.

The city approved inter-locals with the county for Tully Davidson to be the fire marshal and emergency management coordinator and for all the cities in Wood County to annually contribute $19,419 to develop and coordinate a county-wide emergency management plan. Each city will pay a portion of the total with Quitman’s share $3,189. Each city’s payment was determined by population.

The matter considering an inter-local agreement for a county-wide economic development and tourism plan was tabled. There have been recent changes to the Wood County Economic Development Commission, and the city is concerned with the direction of the commission and Quitman’s representation in the organization. Quitman’s portion to be paid to the county for the commission is $3,187. It has been budgeted, but the city wants more information before approving funds.