Higby Appointed To Lamar Council
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.
by Stephanie Baker
The Lamar City Council met on Tuesday, March 14, and appointed Tod Higby to fill a vacant alderman seat.
Higby, who previously served on the Council, will fill the position left vacant following the resignation of Alderman Jessica Cochran.
The Council entered into an executive session to discuss multiple applications from those who had shown interest in filling the position following a months-long vacancy. Upon return to regular session, the Council appointed Higby to serve the remainder of Cochran’s term by a vote of 4-0, noting Higby’s previous experience on the Council. Alderman Jodi Pearson was absent.
Mayor Jerry Boen clarified, although appointed, Higby will be eligible to run for an additional term on the Council.
Public Comment/ Mobile Home Dispute
Carole Brown addressed the Council. She reported she purchased property containing a mobile home on Feb. 19 and began work to restore the home, specifically fixing soft spots under the flooring.
Brown told the Council Boen arrived at the property on March 3 with ordinances in hand to inform her restoration work on the home must discontinue immediately, and the structure must be moved off the property to comply with city ordinances. Brown stated she had purchased the unit without knowledge it would need to be relocated.
Boen stated the property was left littered with building debris and toilets and was not in good shape when he was on site.
Brown countered that flooring and two toilets were placed outside only during active work on the home and were relocated to a shed on the site.
Brown also said the mobile home did not meet the specification of an “abandoned” home as it was inhabited until October 2025, and was then purchased by her in February, less than the abandonment timeline outlined in the ordinances. Utilities can also not be connected to the mobile home, due to city ordinances.
Alderman Jason Higgins stated “the ordinances speak for themselves,” and many others had in the past petitioned the Council over the ordinances to no avail.
Higgins told Brown her case was likely a civil dispute with the previous owner, rather than a city one.
Boen told Brown she was welcome to sign up to be on the agenda at the Council’s next meeting to further voice her concerns. This would allow the Council time to review the ordinances in question and to further respond to her concern.
Events
The annual Lamar Car Show has been scheduled for June 6.
Boen said the city would see a drastic decrease in expenses in hosting this year’s event. The T-shirts, trophies, and other items were intentionally ordered undated, allowing them to be used for the following year in the event of a cancellation. The car show was canceled in 2025 due to inclement weather.
Boen reported good participation in the city-wide clean up. The week-long drive-through drop-off event at city hall filled multiple dumpsters with bulk trash.
The annual Easter egg hunt was a success with 300 children in attendance. The children collected the thousands of filled eggs scattered throughout Cabin Creek Park in three minutes and thirty three seconds, according to city staff member Samantha Ramsey.
Road Ordinance
The Council passed an ordinance requiring any entity cutting into city streets, roads, or sidewalks to obtain a permit from the city before initiating the project.
Boen said the ordinance will also allow the city to require a bond along with the permit to cover repairs if the roads or sidewalks are not properly restored to acceptable usable condition.
The ordinance is a response to several recent instances of work and repairs conducted by utilities to city streets, in which roads have not been left in good condition after the work was completed, leaving the city to conduct follow-up repair work and to cover the expenses of asphalt and human resources, he said.
Police Report
Police Chief Gaston Griggs reported the department had 102 traffic stops, 85 incidents reported, 20 citations, and five physical arrests in March.
He reported the school resource officers had 225 contacts with no reports, and five contacts with reports. There were no citations or arrests at the Lamar School District, according to Griggs.
Animal control reported four animals captured and four animals impounded. No animal ordinance warnings or animal ordinance summonses were issued.
Two dogs were adopted in March, and at the time of meeting, three dogs remained at the kennel.
Code enforcement reported one clean-up warning, no clean-up summonses, and six clean-up compliances.
Other Matters
-A resolution was approved authorizing the city to apply for a federal grant for expansion of the Cabin Creek Trail and trailhead. If awarded, the grant would cover 80% of the project, with the city responsible for the remaining 20% of project costs.
Boen explained the resolution only allowed the city to file an application for the grant, and was necessary because the total cost of the project would not be covered by grant funding, leaving the city to pay a portion. This step allows the city to begin the process of planning an expansion of the trial. Any project would still come before the Council for approval, he said.
-City workers are preparing for the city’s cemetery decoration day on Sunday, May 10. In preparation for this event, the city will begin mowing, weed control, and the removal of all weathered, worn, old, or unsecured flowers and decorations from grave sites. Removal of these items will begin on Wednesday, April 22. Residents are asked to temporarily remove any sentimental or personal items prior to this date.
-Fire Chief Roy Hall reported his department had 42 calls during March, and 16 active firefighters.
-The street department has begun seasonal mowing, completed an asphalt repair on McGuire Road, and has placed new mulch on the playground at Cabin Creek Park, reported Street and Water Superintendent Clayton Hudnall.
He also reported the water department repaired four leaks, installed a line and a meter for Blackstone, and completed a manhole repair on North Cumberland. One manhole repair remains, and the city has ordered a tripod and harness to make manhole repairs safer for city staff to complete.
-The planning and zoning committee approved two houses and heard multiple business inquiries, reported Boen.
-The fence at the main ball field was repaired, and a retaining wall was installed to prevent future damage. Boen said the city is still working toward a donation of eight light poles for the field, and installation assistance from local utility providers, said Boen.
Read this story and others in the April 22 issue of The Graphic, available online and at businesses throughout Franklin and Johnson counties. Subscribe or donate here to support more hometown journalism.
