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<br />going out for bids now. So the procedure here is a little bit different because
<br />as T said, it's a three county project; and you were counting locally, the Area
<br />F3oard was, to qet some participation from each of the three counties. The other
<br />ones there was no question, the County wanted to own the building. It was, you
<br />know, something that they really wanted to symbolize the success with Mental health
<br />center. In this onethere's three involved, so you know, their job really couldn't
<br />begin as I see it, until they got the commitment from the State .
<br />Commissioner Walker stated, "O.K., then if this is the way Grants are made then
<br />I have no argument:"
<br />Mr. Webb stated, "Y would say this is the way the grants is for this program,
<br />a three county program. Yes."
<br />commissioner Walker stated, "O.K., Thank you. Could Iask you another question?'
<br />Chairman Garrett stated, "Yes."
<br />Commissioner Walker stated, "As we go back to the minutes of the Area Mental Health
<br />Board, saying that they have approved this and Mx. Whitted and Mrs., Walton, they
<br />stated at our meeting here, and records will bear me out; that the Area Health and
<br />Mental Board did approve this. May I ask why the minutes don't show this?"
<br />Mrs. Walton replied, "There was no formal approval given."
<br />Commissioner walker stated, "It says in the ( Unable to Decipher 1 application.
<br />It assures that approval has been given."
<br />Mrs. Walton stated, "Informal approval was given. It was not formalized in a
<br />resolution of the Board."
<br />Commissioner Walker stated, "But you stated in our minutes that it was, see
<br />this is the point I'm saying.
<br />(Mrs. Walton and commissioner Walker were both talking at the same time, unable
<br />to decipher comments.)
<br />Mr. Lewis interrupted,"Mrs. Garrett, Mr. Walker, I would like to make a speech
<br />at that point."
<br />Mr. Coleman asked,.:."Mr. Lewis, would you please come up so we can hear you
<br />clearly for the record, please°"
<br />Mr. Lewis stated, "If our Minutes doesn't state that a formal approval was
<br />given, I would like to point out that the Minutes also don't state that any
<br />Commissioner member of the Area Board objected to it. They were all in agreement
<br />with the program."
<br />Commissioner Walker stated, "Thank ycu Mr. Lewis Could I read from the thing
<br />that says authority to apply for or receive grant or loan and to finance construction
<br />program so and its giving assurance that a resolution, motion, or similar action has
<br />been duly adopted, so according to the application you're saying you did pass an
<br />official act; but you're saying you didn't?•
<br />Mr. Lewis replied, "The minutes doesn't state that official action was taken.
<br />The AK'ea Board was in agreement and the Commissioner representatives didn't register
<br />any dissent, and if they had registered any dissent it would have been in the minutes.
<br />So I talked with Mr. Melvin Whitfield about this. Fie was on the Board at the time.
<br />And maybe I can recollect what he told me."
<br />Commissioner Walker asked, "Mr. Whitfield, could you tell us any recollection
<br />that you have of such a motion being passed or any commitment being made?"
<br />Mr. Whitfield stated, "As I recall the thing when it was discussed amortgthe
<br />Mental Health Board that the staff was making:-an application for this grant; and i£ it
<br />was granted than they were going to be looking for some money, but so far as any
<br />official action being taken, I don't recall any official action being taken as to what
<br />would be done. I know, I recall that it was discussed at one time about the money if
<br />it was granted it would have to be prorated between Drange, Chatham, and Person; but
<br />there was nothing definite on where it would go; and there was never any official
<br />action taken=by the Board for the grant or for the application either one. I was
<br />aware and i feel that all the Board here was aware that the Mental Health was
<br />making application for the grant; but as far as official action by either Board, the
<br />Board of Commissioners or the Area Board, as I recall, it was never taken by either one."
<br />Commissioner Walker asked, "Could I ask you one other question? Mr. Wnitted
<br />indicated on the eighteenth that the Commissioners was in agreement, that this money was
<br />_. being granted. Do you ever remember this Board ever informally agreeing to produce
<br />SSO,000;OO for this project?"
<br />Mr. Whitfield replied, "N O, T don't recall the Board ever agreeing to finance any
<br />part of it; but I think the whole Board was aware that it was in the process and it
<br />would be called on to; but as far as us making an agreement that we would give
<br />$50,000.00 6r aay amount of money. I don't recall no agreement being made as an
<br />official agreement on what would be done on it."
<br />r Chairman Garrett stated, "Excuse me, Mr. Gustaveson."
<br />Commissioner Gustaveson stated, "Do you recall at Board meetings any objections?"
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