At the June 24 Troy City Council Meeting, Troy resident Makelia LaRee Wingard requested to speak to the council publicly. 

Wingard was appointed to the Troy City Schools Board of Education at the May 27 city council meeting but the appointment was rescinded at the June 10 meeting. 

“I came here today for two reasons; one, to receive an answer and two, to give an answer,” Wingard said to the council. “I’m not here to fight for a seat that was appointed to me. That seat did not define me, I would have made that seat but it did not define me.

“I’m here because to my understanding no reason was given to the councilwoman that appointed me and no reason has been given to me. So, I’m here today to hear what that reason was for rescinding that vote.”

The council did not give her an answer.

“We appreciate you coming before us, and appreciate your comments, but on the advice of our attorney we have been told not to answer any questions,” Troy Council President Greg Meeks said to Wingard. 

Wingard also alluded to a statement she believed Councilwoman Stephanie Baker made to The Messenger following the June 10 meeting. The attributed quotes from Baker were public comments she made at the meeting when she made the motion to rescind the appointment. Baker did not give any further comments to The Messenger regarding the matter. 

Additionally, Wingard brought up the council’s discussion of an “individual’s good name and character” at a work session prior to the June 10 meeting. The council entered into an executive session – which is not open to the public – to discuss the “general reputation and character of an individual.” That individual was not named at the work session or council meeting. 

Wingard took issue with what she believes is third party opinions on her to the council.

“You all have not spoken to me and you all did not think to ask the councilwoman to bring me in,” Wingard said. “What you did was speak to third parties and receive hearsay. I don’t know if you received the facts but what I do know is personal opinion does not determine who we all are. There may be people in this city that do not like me, and they may not like you, but that doesn’t justify what you started by implying I have a bad reputation and character.

“I’m 40 years old and have never been arrested. I have no public involvement in altercations, no bad character or reputation. If I did, then you would have known who I was way before now. I’ve been a leader since I was in school. I’m a leader now.”

Wingard reiterated to the council she believed that they voted to rescind her appointment on bad information about her.

“I’m upset that those that we have elected to sit in these seats did not take the time to speak to the horse – so to speak – or to have a meeting and address these things they’ve heard,” she said. “That wasn’t taken into account, it’s like you didn’t care. What you were told was good enough. I’m not a bad person, never been a bad person.”

Wingard said that those appointed to the school board are in an important position within the city.

“You all elect those that sit on the board of education that are in the position to make decisions for our kids,” said Wingard. “To make sure our kids are in a safe and healthy learning environment, but no one wants to hear the parents like me that are trying to tell you what’s going on. We’re ignored until something happens that someone doesn’t like and then they have positions where they can overturn and rescind votes. That’s when they make the call.

“You got the call because there are people that know I know what’s going on and don’t want me in that seat to make a change. I won’t be quieted. I will make sure awareness is brought to what’s going on because it has to stop. Our kids depend on change and if not, something drastic is going to happen in the City of Troy and you all are going to be looking like, ‘Someone told us so,’ but it’s going to be too late.” 

Wingard also addressed the council’s refusal to answer her question.

“Your lawyers told you not to answer,” she continued. “I grew up in law enforcement. I have lawyers in my family, judges and police officers. I’ve always been told you can’t take someone to trial and sentence them without telling them what they are being accused of. I will make sure my attorney knows your answer to that question and we will see you all at a later date to address that.” 

Wingard concluded her address to the council with a “thank you” of sorts.

“So, I thank you once again for letting me on this agenda and Mrs. Baker, I thank you, because of you I have decided to start back letting people know just who I am,” Wingard said.