Shortest meeting ever? Less than 9 minutes

Published 12:29 pm Thursday, June 15, 2017

By Jim Buice

The Clemmons Courier

It felt like summer outside, but the conversation inside shifted to Christmas in July during Monday night’s Clemmons Village Council meeting.

To say it was a light night for news would even be an exaggeration. After Shannon Ford, marketing/communications director, reminded everyone of next Saturday night’s Clemmons Day at the Dash, she then promoted the next Movie Night in the Village – The Polar Express – on Friday, July 21, when the holiday classic is shown at sunset at the Jerry Long YMCA.

That led to a later question from Mike Rogers in the council comments: “Will we have snow at the Christmas in July movie?”

Ford’s response: “We’re working on it.”

And that was about it for one of the shortest council meetings in Clemmons history – 8 minutes and 45 seconds.

Oh, the council did adopt the Budget Ordinance and Stormwater Utility Fee Rate ($60 annually) after a public hearing where no one spoke. But that was a mere formality after the budget was presented at the May 22 meeting.

Also, resolutions were approved for the collection of 2017 taxes and on the collection of unpaid taxes from 2016 and prior years.

Lee Covington, president and CEO of Senior Services Inc. of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, spoke during the public comments of the meeting. He talked about some of the issues facing seniors but what how Clemmons and the local area is a popular place to live for older adults.

Manager Scott Buffkin said that he was asked by planner Megan Ledbetter to provide a reminder about upcoming meetings to gather input for the Comprehensive Plan update.

There will be public meetings next Monday night from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at River Oaks Community Church and Thursday, June 22, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Village Hall.

Upon adjournment, Mayor Nick Nelson clicked the gavel and talked about “holding a record” for the brief gathering. Councilwoman Mary Cameron missed the meeting, which prompted attorney Warren Kasper to conclude: “That’s what happens when Mary’s not here.”