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May 15, 2009

Boynton clerk/treasurer charged

Town official faces two counts of violation of state Open Records Act

By Donna Hales

An ongoing dispute between employees and town councilors at Boynton over who has access to town records resulted in charges being filed against the clerk/treasurer.

Boynton Town Clerk and Treasurer Pauline Osburn was charged Friday with two misdemeanor counts of violation of the state Open Records Act.

The charges state that on April 14, Osburn, 73, refused to provide Councilors Marie Wilson and Mike Lance access to the records of the Boynton Water Department, a public body.

An affidavit filed with the court states Muskogee County Deputy Kent Barber received a call on April 14 of a disturbance at Boynton City Hall. He made contact with the two councilors and Osburn.

He wrote that the Boynton mayor at the time was present at city hall but said nothing pertaining to the dispute going on between the parties.

Osburn was on the job Friday. She said the deputy took a complaint against her from the councilors and one she filed against them. Osburn said she accused the councilors of harassing her “for the bunch of records they thought they had a right to. It’s sad.”

Osburn went on to say she believes the councilors only wanted access to the “past due” water accounts.

She insists no one has legal access to someone else’s utility bill, and she’s not giving up records until the council tells her to.

“It’s just kind of a big mess,” she said.

Lance declined comment until the matter is resolved.

Councilor Marie Wilson could not be reached for comment.

The mayor in April, Erma Jean Wilson, said Friday she remains on the board but refused to be mayor again when elections were held this week.

There’s nothing but fussing and fighting, she said.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” she said.

As to the past-due water accounts the two councilors want, she said the number of the accounts are published but not the names.

“The people holler they don’t want them in their business,” she said.

“I really don’t know what all they want. Council people have been acting up ever since I’ve been here. I’ve had enough — you can’t have a decent meeting.

“It’s just hell.”

Reach Donna Hales at 918-684-2923 or Click Here to Send Email

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