Plane tax suit debated again

Wayne McCall directed an outburst last night at Ken Nix, as the Oconee County Council again considered whether to settle a lawsuit alleging the owners of an airplane owe back taxes. Chairman McCall interrupted Auditor Nix, as Nix defended and explained his part in the lawsuit. The outburst came when Nix referred to McCall and two other council members and said, “I’m wondering what you promised. Can you sleep at night?” McCall angrily denied that he had been in contact with co-defendant Jerry Edwards, saying that accusations should be handled in executive session. Earlier the chairman entertained a motion to move Nix’s presentation from open to closed session, but no motion was made. Nix focused his remarks on McCall and council members Paul Cain and Edda Cammick and their attempts at a pre-trial settlement. He praised councilmen Joel Thrift and Reg Dexter and former councilman Paul Corbeil for their efforts to have the dispute settled by a court. Nix maintained that when it comes to who should pay tax, it’s a matter of fairness. The council received Nix’s presentation without taking action. Councilwoman Cammick was absent from last night’s meeting.