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Clay-Roane PSD chairperson Melissa Postalwait was removed from a meeting of the Clay County Commission yesterday after her behavior apparently went out of control.
She reportedly confronted Commissioner Jimmy Sams, saying "Another battery charge doesn't affect me a bit."
When the commissioner called for the sheriff to restrain Postelwait, she said "Calling out the gooneys?" while some of Postelwait's supporters continued verbal attacks toward the commissioners.
Sheriff Holcomb escorted Postelwait and her supporters to the door, Postelwait proclaiming her rights to attend a public meeting.
The incident happened before a group of 50 citizens, a meeting held to work on problems being experienced by the PSD.
Postelwait was suspended last week by the commission from managing the PSD, after she was charged with battery after striking Roane County's PSD board member Susan Beard. She has refused to be removed citing state code.
Postelwait became angered after an office secretary and board member Beard discussed alleged problems related to Postelwait obtaining cash advances from PSD funds.
Postelwait is claiming the PSD problems are fixed, with a new 27% rate increase in place, although the USDA has advised the PSD they are in dire straights regarding mismanagement.
She has called for a boycott of the Clay Communicator, indicating the publication is at the center of the problems. She said the reporting "Makes us look like crap and is costing us jobs and money." She has threatened a lawsuit.
Postelwait quoted newly appointed board member Rose Cantrell regarding the Clay Communicator making Clay county residents look like a "bunch of buffoons." She said such reporting would affect funding.
Cantrell clarified her position saying "As a (semi) lifelong resident of Clay County myself, I resent this perception as much as anybody. Especially considering that this reputation is based primarily on the actions of a select few, yet reflects
negatively upon all of us."
"Clay County does not exist in a vacuum. Some Clay Countians
actually have jobs that bring them into contact with various "big fish." Some have friends, relatives, neighbors who work for State and Federal government agencies who come into contact with various "big fish." People talk to each other. To give all the credit to the Communicator (for negative reaction) is grossly overrating its influence," she said.
She disagreed with Postelwait's boycott, saying "A boycott of any media venue is not going to make one iota of difference when
it comes to getting the funding that Clay County so desperately needs."
"Until Clay County can unite and prove that we have the intelligence, the professionalism and the fiscal responsibility to be trusted with the millions of dollars available, the money will continue to go to areas that don't have the problems we repeatedly bring upon ourselves," she concluded.
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