The Town of Grantsville Council met Thursday, October 9th, 2025 for their regular Monthly meeting. Council in attendance was Jess Metz, Tonya Cunningham, Chasity Bell, Emilee Morgan and Marissa Staples as well as Mayor John Villines.
Under citizens concerns, Pauline Ferrell raised several questions regarding the new Code Enforcer Michael Zacharowitz as to whether or not he could be properly identified as City Staff. Mayor Villines informed her that they were in the process of getting him an Identification Card and uniform.
Ferrell also asked if Councilwoman Chasity Bell had requested him to come to her place of employment to discuss an ordinance issue at her home. Both the Mayor and Councilwoman Bell stated that she did ask him to stop by her place of employment.
Question three of Mrs. Ferrell was regarding a recent visit by the Ordinance Enforcer and another city employee, Liam who questioned the ownership of a side by side on. Avalon Property, believing it to possibly belong to the City. A recorded conversation of two of Avalon’s staff was questioned with the possibility of them being underage.
The forth and final question of Mrs. Ferrell was directed to Councilwoman and Office Manager Marissa Staples regarding a reported $1,500 donation from Kelley’s Kitchen for the Former Rainbow Hotel Property park project. Councilwoman Staples stated that a donation was given to her personally, was not the concern of the public and was being disperse for materials.
Citizen Robert Marks questioned the Mayor regarding sidewalk repair who responded that he (the Mayor) is looking into it to see who is responsible for the sidewalks, property owners or the city? They believe it is the owner of the home or business for which the sidewalk is located in front of.
Two applications were received by the Town of Grantsville for the position of City Recorder; that of Barbara Duskey and Isabella McCormick.
The council briefly interviewed Mrs. Duskey who stated. That she was a retired nurse and former business owner, familiar with quickbooks and city procedures. When they questioned her about a former Recorder position For which she only had for 24 hours, Mrs. Duskey stated that when she questioned finances and procedures of the City of Grantsville in 2008, she received no answer as to why there was improper financial balances, at which time she resigned. When asked what she would do if the same event occurred for the Town of Grantsville, Mrs. Duskey stated that she would request a forensic audit to determine the financial state of the Town.
When she and Mayor Villines mentioned the cost, she stated that there would be no cost to the city if there was a reason by discretion for the audit, which a questionable finance ledger would be cause.
The Council then attired to contact Isabella McCormick for an interview and was unable to reach her. They then decided to goo forward with an executive session to discuss the hiring of a Town Recorder. Following the brief executive session the council returned to session at which time they voted to appoint Isabella McCormick as Recorder.
Just so I got this right. The candidate that was at the meeting was quickly interviewed. They mentioned a forensic audit during the quick interview. Council went to executive session, tried to contact the second candidate. Could not reach them. Decided that the best choice was the one they didnt talk to? Please verify that is what happened.
Mr. Firestine, I was there and that is how it happened with the exception that I do not know what took place in executive session and I was later informed that what took place with Mrs. Duskey wasn’t considered an interview, but merely courteous questions.
My comment is no comment. Congratulations to the new hire.