FAST FACTS:
(Gallaway, TN 8/20/2009) Road work is what former Gallaway City Manager Don James says led to his ouster from the $300 a month job he's had for three years.
"The road started falling in on this side." says James.
He says when the road was washed out by flood waters recently, he moved quickly to hire someone to get it fixed in 18 hours so nursing home residents and others would have access to the store and highway. He never got the required three bids.
"This was an emergency situation. I consulted with the mayor and did tell the Vice Mayor what we were doing." says James.
But last week, residents lashed out, complaining of constant mismanagement, no accountability and alleged under-the-table deals.
Their complaints turned into a near riot.
"I don't understand where all the hatred was coming from. They were vindictive, calling people vipers." says James.
In the end, the city manager, police chief, two city workers and a police officer were either fired or resigned.
Leslie Holte, a disgruntled resident, says it really started with a police cover up back in May.
"It was just one thing after another. I'm city manager, I can do whatever I want. I can hire who I want to hire and fire who I want." says Holte.
But the fired city manager says it's not over. He's filing an injunction.
"I feel they did it unjustly. They feel they were in the right. That's for a court to determine." says James.
"Talk is cheap. Bring it on. We are ready." says Holte.
The former city manager says a resolution in the city charter states that appointed department heads cannot be fired without proper administrative procedures. That includes four warnings.
He says that procedure wasn't followed. But the residents say the resolution is not valid.
They are prepared to fight it in court.
- Gallaway leaders ousted after protest
- Fired city officials plan lawsuit
- Residents who complain of city's mismangement say they are ready to go to court
(Gallaway, TN 8/20/2009) Road work is what former Gallaway City Manager Don James says led to his ouster from the $300 a month job he's had for three years.
"The road started falling in on this side." says James.
He says when the road was washed out by flood waters recently, he moved quickly to hire someone to get it fixed in 18 hours so nursing home residents and others would have access to the store and highway. He never got the required three bids.
"This was an emergency situation. I consulted with the mayor and did tell the Vice Mayor what we were doing." says James.
But last week, residents lashed out, complaining of constant mismanagement, no accountability and alleged under-the-table deals.
Their complaints turned into a near riot.
"I don't understand where all the hatred was coming from. They were vindictive, calling people vipers." says James.
In the end, the city manager, police chief, two city workers and a police officer were either fired or resigned.
Leslie Holte, a disgruntled resident, says it really started with a police cover up back in May.
"It was just one thing after another. I'm city manager, I can do whatever I want. I can hire who I want to hire and fire who I want." says Holte.
But the fired city manager says it's not over. He's filing an injunction.
"I feel they did it unjustly. They feel they were in the right. That's for a court to determine." says James.
"Talk is cheap. Bring it on. We are ready." says Holte.
The former city manager says a resolution in the city charter states that appointed department heads cannot be fired without proper administrative procedures. That includes four warnings.
He says that procedure wasn't followed. But the residents say the resolution is not valid.
They are prepared to fight it in court.
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