New LaFollette City Council sees fireworks at first meeting

Last night’s City of LaFollette Council agenda was short with the biggest task of the evening being the appointment of the vice mayor and beer board chairman. This position was previously held by Joe Bolinger who was defeated in the election last month.

What wasn’t on the agenda was verbal jousting and police escorting people from the meeting, but both happened.  WATCH HERE

As the council began work on the agenda, Mayor Mike Stanfield asked for comments from the citizens.

Nick Thompson, husband of council member Ann Thompson and her biggest advocate, began a push to see his wife in the position. “She is the senior member of the council and had the most experience”, he said.

She received the most votes in last month’s election, and she should be considered for vice mayor, Nick Thompson began. Bringing up the last time the position was open, Nick Thompson reminded those present his wife was nominated four years ago for vice mayor by then council member Hansford Hatmaker. However, Stanfield said she wasn’t qualified at that time. “That was true at the time,” Nick Thompson said.

“The only one qualified at that time was Bolinger, because he had been on council the longest. If that’s the way it works, and it’s worked two times before, keep in mind Ann is now the senior council member and should be considered,” said Thompson.

Stanfield thanked Thompson for his comment, saying he was glad he made that comment but offered no endorsement for Ann Thompson as his number two.

After reading the oath council members take when coming into office, Stanfield opted to question Nick Thompson about why his wife would sign a lawsuit against the City of LaFollette. The mayor was referencing a lawsuit filed by downtown business owner Arnie Meredith. Coming to his wife’s defense. Nick Thompson disputed this, saying she only notarized the document.

That wasn’t a sufficient explanation for Stanfield who retorted “She should not have gotten into it, it’s bad business, you should have let someone else do it.”

Neighbors and friends then spoke of Thompson’s character as testament to why she should be vice mayor.

“What you just talked about was the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard,” David Stout said referencing Stanfield’s statement about the notarizing the document. “What does notarizing a signature have to do with anything,” questioned Stout.

Stanfield’s only response was that she “represents” the city.

Stout was then told to sit down by Stanfield. Stout offered resistance telling the mayor he “would sit down” when he “was ready.”

This brought Nick Thompson out of his chair again leading to another exchange with Stanfield about the lawsuit.

Thompson asked why Stanfield was up there arguing with the taxpayers, referring to those who spoke on Ann Thompson’s behalf.  Stanfield denied the allegation.

Stanfield and Thompson continued to disagree until Thompson was escorted out of the room by police.

Council moved onto the next agenda item, the employee insurance renewal. After some discussion it was decided that the city would go back to Blue Cross Blue Shield because it offered better coverage.

After a very brief discussion where new council member Mark Hoskins pointed out that council member Bill Archer was the most qualified for vice mayor, citing his prior political experience. Archer then nominated, council member Lonnie Wilson, who was appointed as vice mayor with all in favor except for council member Ann Thompson. He was also appointed to the 911 board seat, which Thompson previously held.

After the meeting ended, Ann Thompson spoke with WLAF.

“The mayor is angry with her because she didn’t vote for him to receive a $1,500 bonus, when he was filling in for City Administrator Jimmy Jeffries when he was on leave,” she said.  (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 12/05/2018-6AM)