The September 15 edition of The Enterprise-Tocsin included an article titled, “City Double Checks Contractor’s Work.” In the article, the board of aldermen voted to inspect worked completed by Ron Ivory Construction before releasing payment for the work. Ward 5 Alderman Sam Brock Jr. had issue with approving the claims docket that contained this item because of Ivory’s history with other jobs for the city. Brock also suggested that city policies were not being followed, in particular the step in the process that included department heads signing off on contractors’ work. Ward 4 Alderman Marvin Elder contacted The Enterprise-Tocsin on Thursday to say, “Policies were followed and the animal shelter director did sign off on Mr. Ivory’s work before the board meeting.”
Elder maintained that he couldn’t understand what Monday night’s theatrics all were about because the board order had been followed. “That’s what the city attorney kept telling us,” Elder said. “The animal shelter director had already signed off on the work before the meeting. His work did get inspected the next day and they did pay him.”
Ron Ivory stopped by The Enterprise-Tocsin on Monday to give a timeline for what transpired. He said that the supervisor, Rebecca Horn, signed off on his work, mainly consisting of drywall repair, on Wednesday. “It was done on that day because it was due to be placed on the docket by Thursday,” Ivory explained. “I don’t know what the problem is that Mr. Brock has with me. He can’t seem to separate Ron Ivory the person from Ron Ivory Construction LLC., the entity. He always brings up the point that I’ve been fired by the city three times. But, if you’re going to sue, you don’t sue me the person, you sue the company. So, I think it’s personal because I have all of the credentials that the city has asked me to produce.”
The E-T attempted unsuccessfully multiple times to contact the Indianola Animal Shelter for comment.
