The Clarkson City Commission has a new member after Leon Miller Monday (10//9) announced his resignation.

In a letter, Miller said he would soon be shipped to Iraq as a member of the National Guard.

Mayor Bonnie Henderson immediately appointed Kay Gibson, currently a candidate for commissioner, to replace Miller.

After Gibson's swearing-in, the commission approved the coming year's tax rates, which remain generally the same as last year: 8 cents per $100 on property tax, 10.20 cents on personal property (down 5 cents from last year), and 10 cents on vehicle and watercraft.

Commissioners approved using grant money from the state to buy bullet-proof vests for the city's policemen. The two vests will cost $662 each

Most of the meeting centered around a discussion of what could be done about unsightly yards in the city.

Three lots on South Patterson, North Patterson and Millerstown streets will get visits from city officials giving them one last chance to clean up the property or face citations based in a 1997 city ordinance.

Complaints had been filed with the city about junk cars, high weeds and brush, and the threat to neighbors for rats and mice.

Henderson also reported complaints about speeders along North Patterson. Commissioners discussed speed bumps, rumble strips or other means of slowing down the traffic, but tabled the matter to study the options.

Commissioner Scotty Gore reported five spots around the city that needed street lights, and the commission approved starting the process of buying them.

Commissioners agreed there were too many political signs at the entrances to the City Park, making the area too cluttered, but decided to wait until after the November election to set new rules and fees.

A fee amount was not discussed, but signs would have to be placed on the park fence in the future.

And trick or treat times in Clarkson are 5-8 p.m. on Halloween night.

Outside Monday's meeting, Henderson commented on reports of the removal before Honeyfest of political signs belonging to Dennie Wilkerson.

“I don't approve of this kind of thing,” she said. “I've said from the beginning that I wanted this campaign to be honest and let the person who gets the most votes win.”

“I would have nothing to do with this kind of behavior,” she said, “and I wouldn't condone it if it happened.”

Henderson said a dozen of her yard signs had been removed, “some of them from places where I know the owners would not have taken them down.”