Policy dispute and voting changes spark heated discussion at Leland Town Council
LELAND, NC (WAWY) — An update on an ongoing dispute between a Leland Town Council member and the town’s leadership.
Town of Leland Council member Frank Pendleton made a statement in front of a packed room at Monday’s Town Council meeting.
The town’s attorney is investigating, alleging Pendleton circumvented a procurement policy by directly contacting a vendor for a new laptop he claims he needs to analyze town budgets.
Last week, supporters were outraged that Pendleton was not allowed to explain himself to city leaders.
But on Monday, he got his chance, claiming he never got an orientation on town-owned purchases.
“Was I ever made aware of the policies governor procurement? No. Was I given a copy of the policies governor procurement? No. Was I asked to sign, or acknowledge receipt, or understanding of the policies of procurement? No,” said Pendleton.
That said, Pendleton told leadership he wants to resolve the issue and move forward to the approval of his supporters.
The town immediately called a recess and is concerned Pendleton’s actions violate a North Carolina law requiring a pre-audit, the step that comes before promising to pay for any specific item.
Another polarizing agenda item was addressed at the Leland Town Council meeting: voter redistricting.
Council members who discussed the issue on Monday were all elected through an “at-large” system, where every voter in Leland can vote for the candidate of their choice.
Because of population growth, the town is now considering voting districts.
This would restrict voters to voting only for the candidate that resides in their district, a method favored by council member Veronica Carter, who’s in favor of bringing Allen Serkin, the Executive Director of Cape Fear Council of Governments, to workshop the idea first.
“I would suggest that, again, we wait and put the public comment after we get the subject matter expert in to brief us on what’s allowed and not allowed,” said Carter.
Redistricting opponents like Frank Pendleton believe that the system creates specialized interests at the expense of the whole.
