Citizens raise concerns at Red Bay meeting

By Staff
Jonathan Willis FCT Staff Writer
The city of Red Bay has been accepting applications for the position of police chief which was vacated when the new city council chose not to re-hire former chief Reb Boatwright.
But some residents are not ready to find another chief just yet.
At Monday night's meeting, Red Bay resident Tammy Underwood presented the council with a petition asking them to re-consider the firing of Boatwright.
Another citizen, Brenda Thorn, read from a prepared statement that also criticized the firing of Boatwright.
Thorn also raised questions about the council's firing of the previous city attorney, Jeff Bowling.
When council members were asked what retainer fee Bowling charged, Mayor Tommy Nelson answered that there was no fee.
When asked what new attorney Brian Hamilton of McDowell and Beason charged, the council had no answer.
Another item of concern facing members of the council was the signing of the city's audit for fiscal year 2002-2003. The audit showed a deficit of $3,760,500.
Council member Patsy Hammock asked the mayor if the city was in any kind of financial trouble.
Nelson said the town is like most individuals who take out loans for homes and cars, there are debts owed.
Nelson also said that he wanted to make it clear that no members of the current council had anything to do with the deficit.