The Paden City Council played to a packed house on Monday evening in spite of a light agenda. Among the three rows of concerned citizen-spectators was former City Recorder Ginger Wilcox, who resigned her post and removed her name from the municipal ballot last week.

At curtain call, Mayor Bill Fox was on hand to preside over the council members assembled: Eileen Smittle, Gerald Bailey, Glenn Casteel, Clyde Hochstrasser, and Roger Spragg; Cherita Daugherty was absent from the meeting. Larry Shepherd served as interim recorder in the wake of Wilcox’s resignation from the office.

Though the chambers were full to capacity, only one citizen voiced a grievance.

Paden City resident Sue Flesher addressed the council with a question posed to City Attorney Carolyn Flannery. “Is it a conflict of interest for (Larry) Shepherd to serve as utility clerk, recorder, and as a member of the development authority?”

Flannery replied, “I don’t believe he is serving as utility clerk and recorder. I was advised that council had appointed (Larry) as recorder on a temporary basis. As for the position of utility clerk, they have asked for applications. I am not the attorney for the Development Authority and I am not sure about that statute.”

Fox then read a proclamation from the American Legion proclaiming May 1 and 2 as ‘Poppy Days’ in Paden City. “By wearing the poppy, Americans everywhere, especially in Paden City, will pay tribute to the fallen veterans and provide assistance to veterans and their families in time of need,” Fox stated.

As for the new playground equipment purchased for the city park, Fox informed the council that it had been received and is being installed. “Hopefully in the next couple of weeks we will have it all put up down at the park,” Fox said.

In related news, the city will be hiring lifeguards and concession workers for the 2009 pool season on April 20. Co-managers and groundkeepers have already been hired.

The council acted on a motion to appoint Dale Henry and Patti Casteel to fill the vacancies on the Paden City Development Authority. The motion carried with no opposition.