Richmond Mayor Won’t Discuss Fence

The unapproved purchase of a $28,000 wrought iron fence that was to surround the Irvine-McDowell property was brought up at last night’s Richmond City Commission but was not discussed.

Although the fence was ordered without approval Commissioner Jason Morgan says it’s not been paid for, “No checks have been written for the fence, no contracts have been signed to order the fence, we’re from my position, back to square one,” said Morgan.  Mayor Jim Barnes immediately responded, ” I don’t believe Commissioner we ought to discuss this,” he said.

During an interview with WEKY-WIRV News, Commissioner Jim Newby called the purchase criminal. “The mayor seems to be avoiding the issue for numerous reasons, he’s trying to sweep this under the table. A crime has been committed, I mean some one’s got to stand accountable for,” he said. “I think if $28,000 would have been mishandled by say a member of the street department or a regular city employee, he’d be fried.”

Mayor Jim Barnes said he could not comment because possible litigation.