By Rupert Howell
Letha Wiley again registered her complaint against the Sardis Police Department having her car towed and Tyrus Mack urged love and unity during the public comment portion of Tuesday’s monthly meeting of the Sardis board of mayor and aldermen.

Sardis board policy allows citizens to comment for three minutes each at the end of the board’s planned agenda.

Wiley had previously complained that officers of the Sardis Police Department should not have towed her car being driven by a relative and demanded she be repaid a $100 tow fee. She said she had been “disrespected,” during the incident.

Mayor Billy Russell said there was nothing the board could do and recommended she hire a lawyer to seek damages.

Mack said during his comments that he just needed permission to use an area to entertain kids noting that he had cleaned up the local tennis courts, “And was told they don’t want those kids on this side of the tracks.”

Mack said kids were attracted to him because he entertained them with games and sports noting, “It’s sad children come looking for me—because they have nothing else to do.”

Alderman Jojo Still reminded Mack and fellow aldermen that former aldermen Mike Wilson had been responsible for putting up basketball goals.

“Mike Wilson had basketball courts and they didn’t last a month,” Still said noting that activity surrounding the courts caused residents to ask the goals be taken down.

“It’s not the kids. It’s the grownups that messed it up for the kids,” Mack countered and stated that if he had such a location, “I will literally be there. People respect me,” he stated.

Noting that budgeting time is here, Alderman Bonnie Smith told Mack, “If someone had a plan and submitted it we could see where the funding is so we could help fund it.”

“It’s not funds (I’m asking for),” Mack continued. “It’s permission (to use a location). It doesn’t matter where.”

After public comments, board members went into executive session closing out everyone except department heads, the attorney and city clerk to discuss a personnel issue concerning the police department.

After an hour the meeting was adjourned with the attorney Tommy Shuler reporting that no action had been taken during the closed door session.