by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
The rift between City Council president-elect Jerry Holland and fellow Council member Pat Lockett-Felder is growing, with the latest squabble concerning office space.
During last Tuesday’s vote for Council president and vice president, Lockett-Felder didn’t cast a ballot. She said she developed a persistent cough just before the vote — she was a staunch supporter of vice president Suzanne Jenkins ascending to the presidency — and excused herself while the rest of Council elected Holland president and Lad Daniels vice president.
“I’m still coughing,” she said.
Late last week, Lockett-Felder learned that once Holland takes over from outgoing president Matt Carlucci on July 1, she may have to relocate to another office. As president, Holland has two immediate charges: one, to assign the other 18 members of Council to one or more of the seven Council committees and appoint chairs; and, two, move his office into the president’s space — the corner office that overlooks the new U.S. Courthouse — and arrange the rest of the offices however he chooses.
According to Lockett-Felder, she is one of several Council members who will be asked to relocate. While she will move if asked, Lockett-Felder said it will be done begrudgingly and she’ll need help. In short, though, she’d really like to stay put.
“The problem I have is this: I will move anywhere the president says to move, but I can’t lift anything. I can’t move myself,” said Lockett-Felder, citing medical reasons for her inability to lift anything heavy. “If he [Holland] wants to help me, I’ll move. The only thing I can lift is my purse and my assistant Katrina [Fisher] hurt her back and all she can lift is her purse.”
Lockett-Felder also said she wants no part of taking her office apart and putting it back together.
“I have a zillion plaques I’d have to take down,” said Lockett-Felder. “I have more plaques than any other Council member that came here in 1999.”
Holland said he sympathizes with Lockett-Felder and will work with her if she is asked to relocate. He also said he doesn’t relish having to make 18 Council members happy.
“You don’t,” said Holland of pleasing everyone. “You just try to do something positive. Sometimes changes give people a different perspective and serve as a new start for everybody.”
Holland also said that if Lockett-Felder is asked to move, she will get all the help she needs.
“We will bring in trustees [inmates] to help,” said Holland. “I do not expect anyone to move their file cabinets. They may want to move their personal belongings so they don’t get broken. I do not want this to be a burden on anyone.”
Holland and Daniels will officially take office July 1, but their investiture is set for June 28, a Friday. Holland said he would like to see most of the moving done the next day, but if that’s not convenient, Council members and their assistants will have the following Monday and Tuesday to get situated.
Lockett-Felder said she has been told some other changes may be in store for the next year and she’s not happy with those either.
“I have another concern and that is I have been told that I talk too loud,” said Lockett-Felder. “I’ve been told he [Holland] is going to stop me from talking so loud. Well, that’s my District 7 office and if I want to talk loud, I will. Some of my constituents can’t hear real well.
“I have also been told the new president doesn’t like having so many people in the hallways around the Council offices. He was not elected from Dist. 7, I was. I can have anyone in there I want. If one of my people wants to come by City Hall and see after work and they are dirty, so what? If they smell like alcohol a little bit, so what?
“These changes are not going happen. He will be in the worst fight of his life he wants to stop me from seeing whoever I want. He’s not in charge of my office. I am in charge of my office.”
Holland denied saying anything about how loud Lockett-Felder does or doesn’t talk and how many people are around the Council offices.
“I have no thoughts on that whatsoever,” said Holland. “That’s the first I’ve heard of a Council person being told they talk too loud. The sign-in process will stay the same with people checking in up front.”