The Century council approved to refinance a loan held by Councilwoman Sandra McMurray Jackson, owner of Jackson-McMurray Funeral Home, made to her and her husband by the town of Century under the mayorship of Benny Barnes, at its July meeting.
“My husband took the loan out, so he was the one that was there,” said McMurray. “He brought the paperwork to me and I signed it. “
Jackson's husband, has since died and Sandra took over the operations of the business, including repayment of the loan.
“I kind of got behind on it, so I wanted to refinance so I could live up to my obligations,” said McMurray. “I've already paid more than $80,000 back.”
Century's recent audit findings and budget workshops indicate the town may face financial problems, according to Councilwoman Anne Brooks, who addressed the audit findings in a budget workshop July 26 in a letter citing 'poor management' as the cause of the town's financial issues.
“All I asked was a loan refinance,” said McMurray. “I was not on the council in 2003, when my husband got the loan. It was in both our names.”
McMurray said she got the loan refinanced for three years as a result of the council's approval.
“It was a revolving economic development grant,” said McMurray. “I didn't know anything about it, my husband did the research. It was for the funeral business. We purchased the building that was already there.”
