| Water meeting hits boiling point
By Jim Cooper, Editor
www.thetimesrecord.net
The chairman of the Clay-Roane Public Service District was charged with battery after she allegedly slapped another board member last week.
Melissa Postelwait was arraigned Friday in Clay Magistrate Court and released on $500 bond. Witnesses said she slapped Susan Beard in the face after a PSD meeting Thursday night in Clay.
Beard, Roane County's only representative on the five-member board, said she was stunned by the alleged attack that took place just outside the Clay Development Center on Main St.
"It was the first time in my life that anybody had hit me," Beard said. "I had been raised to always turn the other cheek, but I don't think that would have been productive in this situation. I was just shocked."
Beard said the sound of the blow got the attention of board member Gary Whalen, who was still inside the building and called the police. Trooper M.L. Bailey of the State Police detachment in Clay arrived and arrested Postelwait.
Roane County Commission President Rodney Cox regularly attends the PSD meetings and was present during the incident. He said Postelwait became upset during the meeting when Beard asked her a question about board finances.
Earlier this year Postelwait had referred to Beard on her Web site as being "financially incompetent."
"Melissa has been overpaid $425 according to the office manager," Cox said. "She received a $500 cash advance that has never been paid back in full."
Cox said that when the item was raised, Postelwait would not allow it to be discussed and moved on to the next item on the agenda ...
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