Taylor Resident Expresses Concern With Councilman Palmer’s Remarks

By Naomi Hatch
   “I was very upset that you people could start with Mr. (Robin) Palmer about the blue letter and yet nobody can respond to that,” said Sharon Smith during the call to the public at the Aug. 26 Taylor Town Council meeting. Smith was referring to the Aug. 12 council meeting when a resolution to be sent to Navajo County Board of Supervisors asking the board to set an election regarding consolidation of Taylor and Snowflake was approved.
   Mayor John Cole set rules for the Aug. 12 meeting, which allowed four people to speak, two in favor of consolidation and two opposed to it.
   Councilman Robin Palmer made a statement regarding his feelings toward the blue letter sent to all Taylor postal customers, which opposed a vote of the people on consolidation. People in the audience wanted to rebut his remarks, but were not given the opportunity to speak.
   Smith went on to chastise the council, saying, “You would talk about if the citizens were able to vote and yet we had to listen to that nonsense (Palmer’s comments). You were very childish. I was very aggravated.”
   Looking directly at Palmer, Smith said, “We have signed it (the recall petition). You are the main reason that we signed it.” She said felt she that the consolidation issue should have been settled by the council and stated, “We knew this was coming as soon as you brought the man from Pinetop to Snowflake, we knew this would be coming,” referring to Snowflake Town Manager Paul Watson, who was previously town manager of Pinetop/Lakeside.
   “All I’ve got to say is, how sad, how very, very sad,” said Smith. “Nonetheless, we will vote. We will exercise our rights.
   “I never thought I would say the things I have said. I always supported anybody in public service, but I’m ashamed you had the nerve to talk like that to people.
   “As far as the policemen go, they were doing their job as they were told to do and they should not be responsible,” said Smith, referring to the fact that one man was escorted from the building because he interrupted the meeting by speaking without permission.
   Mayor Cole responded, explaining that she could have spoke at call to the public that followed discussion on the item regarding the resolution. The two exchanged words, and Town Attorney Sterling Solomon stopped the conversation, noting it was not legal during call to the public.
   Following the meeting, Mayor Cole asked Smith to speak with him and she agreed to.