Authorities have filed a misdemeanor charge against a town official in Ronda, after questions were raised by two people running for office concerning why some people were bing paid for utility easements and others were not. Derie Reece and her husband Kevin say they went to town officials first to explain why an easement signed over by the First Church of God board was notarized by Town Clerk Claris Howell without any of the signing parties being present. The law governing notaries requires signers to be present and give the notary identification before their signature is notarized.

The Reeces, who are not involved directly with that transaction, were also told they needed to sign a utility easement or have part of their land condemned, according to an article in the Elkin Tribune. They asked if there was to be any payment for the easement, and were told by Howell there was no money allocated for paying landowners for an easement. The couple says they learned later some other people were paid. After taking up the matter with various city officials and not getting a satisfactory response, they turned the matter over to the sheriff's department for investigation.

Derie Reece is scheduled to appear at the Ronda Town Board meeting tonight at 7 p.m. where matter of the notary violation and the payment for the easements will be discussed. She has announced her candidacy for mayor and Kevin Reece his candidacy for commissioner

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