Chelsea L. McGowan

cmcgowan@weatherforddemocrat.com

In a Tuesday night meeting characterized by name calling and desperation, the Weatherford City Council handed down an embattled decision to fund the Doss Heritage and Culture Center with hotel/motel tax money in fiscal year 2010.

The measure was opposed by councilmembers Jerry Clinton and James Hamilton, who both insisted the Doss’ accounting for past funding was sub-par, and their presentation to council did not warrant funding from a tight budget.

After a previous city council meeting, councilmembers Waymon Hamilton and Craig Swancy met with Doss Board President James May and Treasurer Nan Kingsly, in an effort to answer questions the council had about the museum’s financial dealings.

According to their testimony, Waymon Hamilton and Swancy received the answers they needed in order to feel comfortable renewing the Doss Center’s funding for the upcoming fiscal year.

“We sat down with a soft drink and had a good discussion, and we presented our questions,” said Hamilton of the meeting that took place Aug. 13 at the Weatherford Public Library. “I think we need to give them a little more time to get the specific information we need, and get back to us with a full report.”

James Hamilton, however, said he felt additional time was “special treatment.”

“I have a list of eight questions right here,” he said. “Basic, rudimentary questions about fundraising and how money is spent. You met with them more than a week ago. Why are we still giving them more time? No one else gets this much time to make a presentation. This qualifies as special treatment. Why can’t these questions be answered?”

Waymon Hamilton made a motion the council table the issue of funding for the Doss Center until more information could be presented, but that motion died when James Hamilton and Clinton voted against it. As it seemed a stalemate had been reached, Mayor Dennis Hooks beseeched his colleagues to make a decision.

“We need to make a decision tonight,” he said. “This has gone on too long.”

Clinton agreed the issue had been overly-belabored, and reiterated he thought the center should receive $1,000 in funding as previously decided.

“I’ve only been on the council three months, and we’ve spent more time on this issue than any other,” he said. “I’m appalled that we are bowing to special interests and are not representing the common people.”

In response, Swancy said, “I take offense to that remark.”

Supported by audience applause, Clinton replied, “I hope you do.”

That short sparring was later followed with Clinton’s accusation that Swancy could not be an unbiased judge of the Doss Center because of past business dealings.

“Craig Swancy put the sound system in the Doss Center and has a biased opinion because of continued business dealings,” he said. “I ask that he recuse himself from discussion of this issue.”

Swancy explained he did not put the sound system in the Doss, but rather equipped the organization with a mobile sound unit some years ago. According to Swancy, the job accounted for less than 10 percent of his monthly income, and so he was not legally required to recuse himself regarding their funding.

Stalwart in his position, Clinton stated: “I would like the record to show that Swancy has a biased opinion.”

In response, Swancy stated: “I’d like the record to show that you’ve been a jerk.”

During a portion of the meeting reserved for public comment, Laura Anderson said she felt the board of directors of the Doss Center could stand to learn a lesson by being turned down for funding this year.

“When I was going to college and didn’t fill out the paperwork, I didn’t get the grant,” she said. “But I could always apply again next year. Tell them to come back next year, fiscally responsible and with answers ready, and apply for the money again.”

In a passionate effort to make his point heard, James Hamilton reminded his fellow councilmembers it was the past practice of the Doss Center he considered unworthy ... not the ideals.

“I would go to the mat to support the ideals behind the Doss Center,” he said. “But those ideals are not seen in practice. Hotel/motel tax money is not free money, people! It’s money the city can use at its discretion to promote tourism in Weatherford, and that is not how our money has been spent at the Doss Center.”

Ultimately, Waymon Hamilton made a motion the Doss Center be funded at $30,000 — the amount they received last year, but considerably less than they requested of the city. That motion was seconded by Craig Swancy.

The two were joined in an affirmative vote by Hooks, and opposed by James Hamilton and Clinton.

Before the meeting adjourned, both Swancy and Waymon Hamilton had already been threatened with recall by angry citizens.

The budget for fiscal year 2009-10 will be finalized next month.