Armstrong laughs off CenturyLink in council meeting

Monroe City Council Chairman Ray Armstrong left an overflow crowd in shock at Tuesday night's council meeting after he laughed off a CenturyLink spokesman.

Carrick Inabnett, director of public policy, legal and governmental affairs for CenturyLink, spoke to the council about Armstrong's controversial purchasing policy that would have required council approval for all professional services spending over $15,000 with a single vendor in a year. The ordinance would have also required potential vendors with the city to disclose their political contributions.

As Inabnett was wrapping up his comments, he said he was disappointed with the way Armstrong was acting.

"I see you shaking your head and laughing at me, I don't appreciate that as a member and representative of CenturyLink, but if you feel that way about us, that's fine," he said.

Armstrong chose not to respond to Inabnett's comments and said, "Next person." After Armstrong's request for the next person in line to speak, a mixture of laughter and gasps came from the crowd and Inabnett replied, "You just said volumes."

Inabnett was speaking on behalf of CenturyLink in opposition to Armstrong's ordinance.

"I would hope after St. Francis had the opportunity for a lengthy dialogue (as it related to an agenda item approving the hospital's incentive package) – being the representative of the largest economic driver in the city – you would give me like deference and longer than two minutes to speak," Inabnett said. "I've spoken with other members of the business community, executives at CenturyLink, with the chamber, and none of us have had an issue with the current bid policy."

Inabnett went on to point out business and legal flaws he saw with the ordinance, which Armstrong said was created to promote transparency and get rid of corruption.

"Despite what was said earlier, with respect to this particular bid process, we are unaware of any civil or criminal action that addresses this particular issue," Inabnett said. "There's been indication that there's need for transparency. The implication is that there's corruption. I've heard numerous times there's corruption, there's bad actors, but never has there been any example given. I've heard that people are scared to come forward. If they don't have any business with the city, what motivation do they have to be scared to come forward?"

Inabnett pointed out the proposed ordinance was meant to address contracts not addressed by the city's purchasing policy.

"I spent the better part of my Sunday afternoon poring over the various policies of the city," Inabnett said. "All contracts are addressed in the purchasing policy. Therefore, ... I would ask (city attorney Nanci) Summersgill, even if this is passed tonight, to advise the administration that it cannot be enforced because there is simply no contract that it applies to."

The policy was defeated later in the meeting with a tied 2-2 vote, which results in the ordinance failing.

CenturyLink spokeswoman Annmarie Sartor said, "We have nothing further to add that you haven't already captured."

Armstrong did not return The News-Star's call seeking comment.

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