Sosebee: “We don’t have to explain ourselves to you!”

The citizens of Fannin County that attended the June 11, 2013 Board of Commissioners meeting left the meeting with a clouded mind thinking “Did that really just happen?”With no new business on the agenda, Chairman Simonds assured citizens that, though not depicted on the agenda, the county was very busy and proactive in repairing damaged roads washed away due to the flooding rains we’ve experienced and much more.

After Simonds’ remarks, the meeting went to the much anticipated public comment of the meeting. Dr. William Mitchell was the first to take the floor. Mitchell expressed his frustration in the board’s unanimous rejection of the proposed agreement for Tri-State Pet Rescue to take over the operations of Fannin County Animal Control. He also expressed his disappointment in the report of the proposed agreement costing the county an additional $50,000.00 when compared to the current budget, as reported in another news source, other than FYN. As Commissioner, Earl, Johnson questioned Mitchell about various things, including who performed veterinarian services for Fannin County animals, Mitchell turned the floor over to Jan Eaton and left the meeting.

Eaton proceeded to answer Johnson’s questions as she worked her way into asking her own regarding a dog that died while in custody of the county. As Eaton persisted for an answer, she was interrupted by Commissioner Larry Joe Sosebee saying

“Mrs. Eaton, I’ve sat here and listened to you until I am mad.”

Eaton responded

“Well, I’m glad you’re mad that dogs are dying.”

Sosebee interjected

“I’m not mad about that. You have questioned this board.”

Eaton admitted that she was questioning the board when Sosebee continued

“You have questioned us and I don’t, Mr. Johnson don’t and the Chairman don’t have to answer to you. You know what’s going on and we do not have to explain our ways to you.”

Eaton stated that he hoped the papers got record of such a profound statement and Sosebee responded

“Well, I hope the papers got it too!”

After Sosebee realized the outrage of the public at the meeting, he stated that what he meant to say was that the Board of Commissioners did not have to answer to a particular group but did, in fact, have to answer to the citizens of Fannin County.

After an hour of responses from citizens to Sosebee’s comments made during the meeting, the meeting came to a close approximately an hour and ten minutes after it began.

FYN will continue to bring you the latest events regarding Sosebee’s comments and the animal control saga.