Two members of the Tullos Town Council resigned last month leaving the Town of Tullos unable to conduct business after two called meetings were canceled due to not having a quorum.
On September 20, the Town was notified by the Louisiana Secretary of State (SOS) that Heather Berryman submitted her official resignation letter to the state office and then on September 22, the Town was notified again by the SOS that Ronald “Charlie” Brown submitted his official resignation letter as well.
Both letters used similar language as to the reason for their resignation, including how they were elected to be a “voice for the people of our town” but the Council is “un- dermined by the mayor.”
With the two resignations, that leaves only three council members, Tina Murphrey- Tullos, Floyd Temple, Jr. and Carmon Cook. All three must be present for the Council to conduct an official meeting.
The Tullos Town Council’s regular monthly meeting was set for Monday, October 2, however, Cook was not present. She reported that she was sick and could not attend. The meeting was rescheduled for Thursday, October 5, at 4 p.m., with all three council members having been notified October 2, at the time the regular meeting was canceled.
However, shortly before 4 p.m. on Thursday, Cook notified town officials that she would not be present due to another meeting conflict.
This meant that for the second time in four days, the Tullos Town Council could not meet due to lack of a quorum.
Tullos Mayor Karla Cockerham said it was very important that the Council have the meeting October 5 because it was the final day of a 20-day period that the state allows for them to appoint a replacement for Berryman.
Along with other town officials and engineer traveling from Alexandria, La-Salle Parish Clerk of Court Steve Andrews was also enroute to the meeting to deliver the oath of office to the person the town would appoint to replace Berryman.
The Council must also have a quorum to appoint a person to replace Charlie Brown.
“I have spoken with the Governor’s Office and they said if we were unable to appoint someone to fill a seat by the (October) 5th then they would appoint someone,” the Mayor said. “They will only appoint one person and once that person is sworn in, we can have a quorum and then appoint the second person.”
According to reports, the Governor’s Office will not appoint someone until Thursday or Friday of this week, at the earliest.
Mayor Cockerham disagreed with the resigning members assessment of her performance but had nothing but good to say about Berryman and Brown.
“I appreciate their service and the time they gave the town,” Cockerham said. “I think sometimes people get in here (on the Council) only to find out you can’t do all you want to do due because of all the rules, regulations and laws.”
The Council has many items of business they need to conduct but cannot due to a lack of quorums. The Mayor is hopeful they will finally be able to conduct a meeting this week.
“I really hate that it seems we always make the news when something controversial happens,” she said. “The Town of Tullos is really made up of great people who for the most part get along and work well together. It’s a loving place where, despite our few minor disagreements, I truly love and am thankful to live and be the Mayor.”
