An ongoing discussion between the Monument Board of Trustees and
a town couple concerned about the activities of a neighbor prompted
one of the residents to accuse Trustee George Brown of being
rude.

Lee Ackerman addressed the board again Aug. 1 regarding alleged
violations taking place at the XKE Corporation. XKE occupies the
property next to the Ackermans on Washington Street, north of
Highway 105, outside of the Monument town limits. Ackerman and her
husband Dennis went before the board in July asking for assistance
with the same problem and returned when information they had
requested did not arrive.

The Ackermans maintain that their property values have declined
by $150,000 due to ongoing tree removal and other activities on the
XKE property. During the Aug. 1 meeting, Lee Ackerman asked
trustees for copies of the approved plan for XKE and any relevant
documents that would determine what is legal for the company to be
doing on the property.

Trustees discussed the town’s responsibility in the case, since
the Ackermans do not live within town limits. Trustee George Brown
turned to Mayor Byron Glenn and asked, “Why should we incur costs
over this?”

When Lee Ackerman began to speak, Brown cut her off saying, “I’m
asking the mayor.”

Glenn explained that there are issues involved with the
Ackermans’ complaints that the town is continuing to investigate,
but the town would not be further involved.

“What I’m hearing is,” Lee Ackerman said, “the township which
granted and approved the plan against a county-township boundary
without giving regard to the county’s requirement for that land is
now taking the position that we’re all clear.”

Brown said, “You shouldn’t be talking to us about this. You
should talk to Cathy (Town Manager Cathy Green) and get the
clarification you need.”

When Ackerman said she already had, Brown urged her to speak
again with the town manager to get the information.

The meeting went on, and near its end, Dennis Ackerman came in
and asked to speak during the public comment period.

He questioned the organizational structure of the town, asking,
“Who’s in charge here?”

When trustees explained that Green manages the town and that the
trustees set policy, Dennis Ackerman pointed directly at Brown and
asked, “What is his position here?”

Glenn responded, “He’s a trustee and his opinions are
respected.”

Ackerman again pointed at Brown and said, “That man was rude to
my wife. That’s what she tells me.”

When trustees disagreed Dennis Ackerman said, “She was very
explicit. She said that man (Brown) got point-blank in her face and
told her to go to hell.”

Brown and other trustees immediately denied the
allegation.

“You don’t even live in the town,” said Trustee Gail Drumm, “yet
you want us to pay to do your dirty work.”

In an attempt to calm things down, Glenn explained that the town
had reached the limits of the assistance it could provide and
recommended that the Ackermans’ attorney contact the legal
representatives of XKE.

“There’s nothing I said that could be concluded that I told her
to go to hell,” Brown said. “If you want, we can get you the
tape.”

The town routinely tapes its meetings to make compiling the
minutes easier for town staff. Dennis Ackerman said he would
definitely like a copy of the tape and officials agreed to make him
one.

In other business:

* Town Manager Cathy Green and Town Treasurer Pam Smith were
sworn in. Police Chief Jake Shirk conducted the ceremony after
which trustees gave the two women a standing ovation.

* Trustees put construction of a new public works garage on
hold. Manager Cathy Green suggested the action in order to free up
more time for staff during the busy summer months. She also
expressed concerns about the safety of the staff in building the
facility. Trustees approved waiting until the new public works
director is hired before it is reassessed.

* Trustees turned down an offer from former Public Works
Director Tom Wall to assist the town’s water attorneys with the
formulation of a water plan. Glenn said the town appreciates Wall’s
offer, but he believes the attorneys will be able to handle the
task themselves.