Some County Commission members said Wednesday they are dismayed that County Mayor Weston Wamp has not returned County Attorney Rheubin Taylor's computer and cell phone despite a commission resolution directing that it be done.
Also, Commissioner Warren Mackey said he is concerned that some county employees feel "intimidated" by the Wamp administration.
The new county mayor issued a directive that the longtime county attorney be fired. Attorney Taylor has stayed on, while citing he has a four-year contract. The matter is now in Chancery Court.
Questioned by Commissioner Greg Martin, County Mayor Wamp said he hired attorney Barret Albritton to represent him in the Taylor case at a cost of up to "just under $25,000." At the $25,000 level, it would have required County Commission approval. County Mayor Wamp earlier spent $5,000 of county funds for a legal opinion from a Knoxville attorney in the Taylor matter.
The commission earlier hired attorney John Konvalinka for his advice in the case for $10,000.
Commissioner Mackey said if the county winds up having to pay attorney Taylor for his remaining contract and also pay a replacement county attorney "it could be close to a million dollars."
Attorney Albritton said the county attorney's office has carried on with remaining staff in the absence of county attorney Taylor. County Attorney Taylor responded, "I've been there every day," though he said he has been hampered by not having his county computer and cell phone.
Attorney...
As world leaders gathered in New York for the High-Level Week of the 81st UN General Assembly, a “breaking news” post began circulating in Sri Lanka claiming that the country had been removed from ...