Alto fires Luse
Utilities director terminated in the wake of 31 Texas Railroad Commission violations
BY LELAND ACKER

In a unanimous vote, the Alto City Council fired Utilities Supervisor Charlie Luse during their regular meeting Monday evening. Mayor Pro Tem Annie Walker said Mr. Luse's dismissal was due to his two reprimands, numerous TCEQ and Texas Railroad Commission violations, poor customer service and his failure to turn in records.

The move came after Mrs. Walker shared documents with the council showing 31 violations with the Texas Railroad Commission pertaining to the gas system.

"The majority of these (violations) are paperwork," Mrs. Walker said. "We have inadequate records."

Mrs. Walker said the representative from the railroad commission told her Alto set a record for the number of violations and that the violations had been sent to the commission's legal department.

"We will be getting fines," she said.

One violation pointed out by Mrs. Walker was that Mr. Luse had not filed paperwork showing he had viewed a 60-minute video on drug testing. Mr. Luse said he had filed paperwork, but it did not say "60- minutes" on it.

"Did you ask the railroad commission about it?" Mrs. Walker asked.

"That's your problem," Mr. Luse replied.

"Did you tell me about it?" Mrs. Walker asked.

"No." Mr. Luse said.

Mr. Luse defended himself by saying the violations were in place before he was employed by the city, despite admitting to the fact that 24 of the 31 happened on his watch.

"It seems that every meeting we have is on Charlie Luse," Councilman Earl Clark said.

"I don't feel that he's doing an adequate job," Mrs. Walker said.

"Then why don't you make a motion to fire him," Mr. Clark said.

The council then retired to executive session to discuss legal matters with City Attorney Steven Guy. After returning to open session, Mrs. Walker called for a motion for Mr. Luse's dismissal. Councilman Robert Pearman made the motion, seconded by Kenneth Brethouwer. The council voted 5-0 in favor of the motion.

Council votes to repair pond

Mr. Luse was in the hot seat earlier in the meeting when the council heard a complaint from Dean Perkins, owner of the pond located east of U.S. Highway 69 North, whose pond the city's sewage bypass spilled into.

Mr. Perkins told the council that Mr. Luse's clean-up efforts entailed hauling four plastic tank loads of sewage water from his pond in a week.

"Mr. Luse made the statement that the water in the pond is drinkable," Mr. Perkins said. "This water overflowed (from the sewage manhole), flowed 200 yards into my pond and the sun was supposed to purify it. If that were true, then we wouldn't need the water treatment plant."

Among Mr. Perkins complaints was the fact that utilities personnel tried to use a track hoe to remove contaminated dirt, resulting in the implement getting stuck in the spillway. He said city crews dug the track hoe out.

"In the process of getting the track hoe, they damaged the spillway to where it probably won't hold water again," he said. "The winter rains will overflow the pond and go over to my neighbors land. I'd like to see it cleaned up right now."

Mr. Perkins said Mr. Luse proposed delaying pond repairs until July when the pond would be dryer and repairs would be easier.

"I think we as a council should take action to get his pond fixed," Councilman Pearman said. "I don't think we need to put it off. We should facilitate getting his pond fixed."

Councilman Pearman made the motion, seconded by Councilman Monty Collins to hire a contractor to repair Mr. Perkins' pond.

In other action, the council heard presentations by Holleen Thompson from the Central High Home Demonstration Club regarding an upcoming meeting, Kathy Holdway of a Circle of Ten regarding affordable housing and Jim Todd from Advanced Financial Group regarding health insurance.

Council approves new health plan

The council approved the new health plan from Blue Cross which holds a $1,000 deductible and 80 percent co-pay at a cost of $426 per employee.

The council voted to purchase a new computer server for city hall at a cost of $3,192.89, which will come from funds raised by the municipal court, approved the 2008 holiday schedule, began the initial phases of passing a manufactured housing ordinance and voted to pay former Mayor Carey Palmer for his services as mayor. Mr. Palmer had refused the $50 per month while he was in office.

The council also voted to continue the employment of the general clerk.

Councilmen Clark, Pearman, Brethouwer, Collins and Mrs. Walker were present at the meeting.