Clay-Roane PSD board president Melissa Postelwait (pictured left), suspended last week by the Clay County Commission, continues to chair PSD meetings and issue statements.
Under a barrage of complaints regarding mismanagement, Postelwait has advised the commission they do not have the authority to remove her.
Postelwait says that "Locals in Procious are madder than heck at that so called independent newspaper, The Communicator," and its editor Andy Waddell, who she indicates is the cause of many of the PSDs problems.
Waddell reported an incident last week where Postelwait committed battery against Roane Board member Susan Beard, after Beard raised issues regarding Postelwait taking cash advances from the PSD.
Postelwait struck Beard following the meeting, after which Postelwait was charged with battery and released on $500 bond.
Beard, Roane County's only representative on the five-member board, told the Times Record-Roane County Reporter, she was stunned by the alleged attack that took place just outside the Clay Development Center.
Issues were raised that cash advances given to Postelwait were not approved by the board.
Roane County Commissioner Rodney Cox, who attends the meetings, said
"She cursed Susan in the meeting and I guess she remained inflamed," according to the Times Record-Roane County Reporter.
Postelwait had referred to Beard on her web site as being "financially incompetent."
Postelwait is calling for a boycott of the Clay Communicator, quoting Rose Cantrell "That the big fish in Charleston read (The Communicator) and think we are all a bunch of buffoons... that is why they are hesitant to give us grant and loan money to upgrade our county."
Postelwait says Waddell's reporting "Makes us look like crap and is costing us jobs and money." She has threatened a lawsuit.
Waddell said "Buffoons? Crap? If you're looking for 'entertainment', fights, foul mouthed comments and want to see government waste at its worst, check out Clay County PSDs. You don't have to be on the front seat."
Waddell says USDA Rural Development is pulling the plug on the Clay-Roane PSD because of bad management. "Unfortunately, this is serious business," he said. "Hopefully some responsible people will get on this board and help our communities."
The USDA Rural Development advised Postelwait on April 14: "The RUS is concerned about the financial condition of the district, (that) the system be operated and maintained in a fiscally responsible manner."
Meanwhile, the Clay-Roane PSD is seeking a 25% increase in rates.
"The Clay County Commission has made several allegations against me. They accused me of inappropriate use of district funds and not providing district records," Postelwait said.
Editor Waddell says Postelwait "Carefully chose her words to defend herself," before the news media and regional TV cameras regarding her allegedly accessing PSD money for her own use.
Postelwait, ignoring the commission's suspension, chaired the PSD meeting this past week, quoting state code, which says the commission does not have the authority to suspend or remove her.
While the commission is scrambling to appoint new board members, Beard attended the latest meeting, saying she feels it is important to be steadfast.
Roane commissioner Cox said the recent incident is the latest in a series of problems the PSD has experienced under Postelwait's leadership.
"The real story here is the fact that she won't resign. She and her cronies think that's the way people are supposed to act. It's a tragic series of events," Cox said.
Meanwhile, Postelwait has announced her candidacy for the Clay County Commission.
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