FAST FACTS:
(Gallaway, TN 8/14/09) After a town meeting turned into a near riot, five city employees were shown the door.
Angry residents packed town hall, alleging misconduct and demanding pink slips. Depending on whose side you're on, it was either democracy at its finest -- or at its lowest.
"The meeting actually got out of hand last night," says Mayor Nick Berretta. "I gaveled at least a half dozen times, to no avail."
Local police called the Sheriff for backup when a city meeting turned into a near riot. By the time it was over, the city manager, police chief, another officer, plus two court clerks were either fired or resigned.
Citizens like Less Holte says its "Justice. And the town of Gallaway has finally been delivered back to the citizens of the town of Gallaway, like it should have been a long time ago."
Bad blood has divided the tiny town of roughly 800 for years. The latest allegations include nepotism, civil rights and EEOC complaints, under-the-table city contracts, covered-up police brutality, and claims someone broke in and stole from the police department. The people revolted. They overthrew leaders, installed new ones, and changed the locks on city offices. The coup had been brewing for weeks. It was well-planned, but may not last.
"The vote that they took last night was strictly illegal, it was an illegal vote," says Mayor Berretta.
"The Board members themselves serve at our will," argues Holte. "We elected them, we put them there to represent us. What they did last night was what we wanted."
Despite the boos, jeers and scandal, people in Gallaway are just hoping for peace.
"We'll get through this just like we've got through every other conflict that has arisen in the past," says Mayor Berretta who went on to say some of those who were fired plan to get attorneys and the city could try to get an injuction to stop the bloodletting from going any further.
- Residents pack Gallaway town meeting, meeting goes out of control
- City manager, police chief, officer, two court clerks fired
- Mayor says firings were illegal
(Gallaway, TN 8/14/09) After a town meeting turned into a near riot, five city employees were shown the door.
Angry residents packed town hall, alleging misconduct and demanding pink slips. Depending on whose side you're on, it was either democracy at its finest -- or at its lowest.
"The meeting actually got out of hand last night," says Mayor Nick Berretta. "I gaveled at least a half dozen times, to no avail."
Local police called the Sheriff for backup when a city meeting turned into a near riot. By the time it was over, the city manager, police chief, another officer, plus two court clerks were either fired or resigned.
Citizens like Less Holte says its "Justice. And the town of Gallaway has finally been delivered back to the citizens of the town of Gallaway, like it should have been a long time ago."
Bad blood has divided the tiny town of roughly 800 for years. The latest allegations include nepotism, civil rights and EEOC complaints, under-the-table city contracts, covered-up police brutality, and claims someone broke in and stole from the police department. The people revolted. They overthrew leaders, installed new ones, and changed the locks on city offices. The coup had been brewing for weeks. It was well-planned, but may not last.
"The vote that they took last night was strictly illegal, it was an illegal vote," says Mayor Berretta.
"The Board members themselves serve at our will," argues Holte. "We elected them, we put them there to represent us. What they did last night was what we wanted."
Despite the boos, jeers and scandal, people in Gallaway are just hoping for peace.
"We'll get through this just like we've got through every other conflict that has arisen in the past," says Mayor Berretta who went on to say some of those who were fired plan to get attorneys and the city could try to get an injuction to stop the bloodletting from going any further.
