Tensions mounted at the Chouteau Town Hall meeting Monday night between Mayor Jerry Floyd and Chouteau Pound Pals spokesman Don Barbee. Floyd explained to the board and the audience because Barbee isn’t a constituent of the board, he is not eligible to make a request to be on the agenda.

“The OML (Oklahoma Municipal League) states clearly that a constituent is a resident of Chouteau,” Floyd said. “When he called, he got a bit belligerent with me and I got belligerent right back.”

This prompted Judy Harris, a Pound Pal supporter to try and speak, but Floyd quieted her.

“I’m gonna talk first, then you can raise your hand and you will be recognized by the board,” he said.

Floyd said he is tired of “out-of-towners” trying to tell the town how they should run the pound. He addressed Barbee and the Pound Pal supporters that were in attendance about the recent article in The Daily Times regarding the subject.

“You made me look like I was against this whole effort,” Floyd said. “That’s not the way it is.” Floyd explained that he just didn’t appreciate the way the group approached him on the subject. Barbee was then given the opportunity to speak.

“I’m assuming when you talk about out-of-towners, you’re referring to me because I live just outside the city limits,” Barbee said. “I am not an outsider. I pay taxes here, I attend church here, I support business here. I am a citizen of Chouteau. You said we needed an agreement, we’ve submitted that to you.”

Floyd tried to again explain what the OML says about a legal constituent, but was interrupted by Barbee.

“Let me talk. You asked for us to extend that courtesy to you when you talked. I’m asking for that same courtesy,” Barbee said. “Look above you. That logo says that we are Oklahoma’s Showplace, but that pound is Chouteau’s shamefulness. All we want to do is help the dogs. We stand ready to help.”

The agreement proposal submitted by the Pound Pals offers to pay for and furnish dog food, keep the area treated for fleas and ticks, keep the dogs dipped, pay for medical care and spaying or neutering prior to adoption. They also will recruit volunteers, raise funds and advertise for adoption, in an attempt to keep the town from having to put down any dogs.

After more discussion, sometimes heated between Pound Pal members and Mayor Floyd, board member Brenda Cunningham spoke, holding the proposed agreement in her hand.

“If we don’t do this, people will think we’re insane,” she said. “I have to say, this is the most absurd argument I’ve ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, EVER heard. What are we fighting about?”

Further discussion determined that the Pound Pals would accept the cost of all food for the dogs instead of just taking over the food costs after the town’s proposed 12 days holding time before adoption.

“We will just furnish all of the dog food for the dogs,” Barbee said to the board. “This will allow us to give them a better grade of dog food.” He explained that a better grade of food will promote health and make the animals more adoptable.

Finally, after both sides agreeing to the changes, the board entertained a motion to accept the proposed agreement. It passed unanimously.

In other business, the board approved the purchase of a CD in the amount of $18,301.01.

“This was a CD that we cashed in order to purchase a new fence to go around the cemetery,” Mayor Floyd said. “The amount represents the remaining funds we have and I make a motion that we return it to a CD.” The motion passed.

The board approved a contract agreement between the Town of Chouteau and the Chouteau/Mazie Public School for the placement of the School Resource Officer for the 2009-10 year.

Board member Sandy Madison addressed the board regarding computer viruses on the town computers.

“We received a $90 bill to clean a virus from one of the town’s computers,” she said, adding that Internet surfing makes the computers vulnerable to viruses.

“Our computers need to be used for business,” she said. “I don’t want to see the integrity of our system compromised.” Comments from the audience argued that anytime the Internet is connected, there is a risk for viruses, and that surfing wasn’t necessarily the problem. No action was taken following the discussion.

The board voted to check into the cost of restoring and preserving the town’s old minute books and archives.

“We have the minutes of the very first town meeting,” board member Sandy Madison said, adding that the records date to 1906.

Mayor Floyd addressed the board regarding possible action to check into the purchase of a building for a town library.

“I called Weems Realty about the old funeral home across the street,” he said. “They want $230,000 for the building, but we could probably get a better price for it. That is a nice, nice building and it would make a beautiful library.”

Brenda Cunningham responded.

“There are grants that go from ground up,” she said. We could probably build a building for what they’re wanting for that building.”

Further discussion determined that there would be a committee formed to check into options for a library. The committee will consist of Sandy Madison, Brenda Cunningham and Connie Baker.

According to Floyd, there are already some ladies who would volunteer their time to open the library.

The board approved the purchase of five Carbon Fiber S.C.B.A. bottles at $755 each for the fire station.

According to Pryor’s Assistant Fire Chief Sherman Weaver, the bottles are made of carbon fiber, instead of steel, which is what has been used in the past.

“The steel bottles are about four times as heavy as the carbon fiber bottles,” Weaver said. S.B.C.A. stands for Self Contained Breathing Apparatus. The bottles contain breathable air for the fire fighters and are rechargeable.

Mayor Floyd said the purchase of the new bottles was to replace ones that were outdated.

In new business, it was announced that Chouteau Mayor Jerry Floyd has been nominated for the 2009 OML Don Rider Award.

The award honors the late Don Rider, former Oklahoma Municipal League Executive Director. Named in his memory, the award recognizes a local official who has made outstanding long-term commitments to his or her community.