By Zoë Pickett
The Town of Cullen’s October council meeting opened with prayer and a call for unity, but the evening quickly turned contentious as residents demanded answers and total transparency.
Mayor Terry Hoof began the meeting by emphasizing order and time limits on public comments, reducing the usual three-minute window to two. That change immediately drew objections from several residents, setting the tone for a tense night.
The discussion intensified when resident Fran Gibson took the floor, challenging the mayor over what she called a lack of transparency. Gibson questioned how minutes and financials could be approved when no certified clerk was present at the previous meeting. She also raised concerns about confidential information being handled by an unapproved employee.
“You have my social security number and driver’s license,” Gibson said. “You’re bringing someone in here and we don’t even know if they’ve been vetted. Why is she up here working when she hasn’t been approved by the board?”
Several others echoed her concerns asking for clarity regarding the departure of former clerk Dominique Parish and the hiring of her replacement.
Throughout the exchange, Hoof remained largely dismissive of the questions being asked, cutting citizens off mid-sentence, and refusing to respond directly to their concerns. When residents pressed for answers, Hoof repeatedly told them that public comment was “not a debate.” His responses drew frustration from the crowd, with several attendees accusing him of disrespecting the citizens who elected him.
As tensions rose, residents voiced growing anger over the mayor’s unwillingness to engage. “You can’t shut us down because you don’t want to be accountable,” Gibson said before concluding, “We need transparency.”
Police Chief Fannie Rankin also spoke during the meeting, saying she had previously asked the mayor and council to hold a special meeting to address departmental issues but never received a response. “If I had gotten the meeting that I requested, none of this would be taking place,” Rankin said, asking the board to honor her earlier request.
Later in the meeting, the discussion turned to water rates and financial issues. Mayor Hoof informed the council that Cullen’s water rates are among the lowest in the region, citing Springhill at $30.66 and Homer at $18, compared to Cullen’s $12 base rate. He said an increase may be necessary but stressed that no decision has been made.
The meeting also finally revealed to residents that the state legislative auditor is currently reviewing town finances. An assistant clerk, identified as Tracy, told residents that the audit found a misappropriation of more than $100,000 but assured them that all town employees are now up to date on pay.
“The town is not broke,” she said. “Everyone is caught up, including the police chief, officers, and maintenance workers.”
Mayor Hoof stated that efforts are underway to restore insurance coverage for all departments, including the police.
Despite numerous attempts by residents to seek clarity on financial and administrative issues, the mayor continued to deflect questions and moved quickly through the agenda. Several citizens expressed disappointment as the meeting ended without meaningful discussion or answers to their concerns.
As the meeting concluded, the council discussed trash collection contracts and payment methods, noting that future payments to the town may soon be required by money order only instead of cash. Hoof said the legislative auditor suggested the switch from cash to money orders. The session ended with the mayor calling for an executive session, asking attendees to leave the building.
The heated meeting reflected growing frustration among Cullen residents over transparency, communication, and financial accountability. While Mayor Hoof repeatedly urged order, his dismissive handling of citizen concerns left many feeling unheard as they left the meeting still seeking answers.