On the same day her concerns about a parking issue were published, a Waynesville Cemetery Committee whistleblower resigned after the committee’s chair chastised her via email and made problematic comments about the First Amendment, public records laws and open meetings statutes.

“I think the email is concerning and that we have a committee chair who maybe misunderstands some of the statutes that apply to her committee,” said Martha Bradley, Waynesville’s town attorney. “I would want to make sure that she had accurate information to make sure that she was knowledgeable about how to manage the committee and its work. I think this is an isolated issue with an individual perhaps that needs a bit of information to help guide them in their leadership position.”

On Jan. 24, Lisa Kay Cook contacted The Smoky Mountain News about parking in Waynesville’s historic Green Hill Cemetery, providing a security camera still of cars on the grass off Shelton Street on Halloween.

Cook said her intent was to start a public discussion over what, if anything, should be done about it. The Cemetery Committee serves in an advisory role to the town’s Board of Aldermen, and meets quarterly. Cook hoped that public input would inform the Committee in advance of its March 21 meeting so that it could make an informed albeit nonbinding recommendation to aldermen.

Instead, Cook received a scathing email from Cemetery Committee Chair Sharon Franks, reprimanding her for speaking out in the subject.

“I was...

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