Boyd Asks Coppinger For Public Apology; Does Not Get One

  • Wednesday, July 1, 2015
County Mayor Jim Coppinger speaks. Mike Compton is at back left.
County Mayor Jim Coppinger speaks. Mike Compton is at back left.

County Commissioner Tim Boyd on Wednesday morning read a letter in which he asked County Mayor Jim Coppinger for a public apology. However, he did not get one.

Instead, County Mayor Coppinger called remarks last Wednesday by Commissioner Boyd that the county mayor had $4.4 million in discretionary funds "ridiculous."

He said that money includes such items as the Humane Educational Society, the Chamber of Commerce, the Bessie Smith Hall, and the Armed Forces Day Parade. He said those were all good allocations, with some originating from the County Commission.

Commissioner Boyd said the apology was needed after Mike Compton, the county mayor's chief of staff, last Wednesday exhibited "the most disrespectful and unprofessional display of anger ever directed toward an elected official or perhaps anyone in the history of this room."

He said, "It was by the mayor's chief of staff, who works directly for the mayor."

Commissioner Boyd said, "His actions were inexcusable. His use of profanity and the disrespect displayed toward me or anyone in this chamber must not be tolerated."

He added, "In this room we expect civil and professional manners, showing a high level of mutual respect."

Commissioner Boyd said the $4.4 million he referred to could be considered discretionary because the items were not state-mandated.

County Mayor Coppinger did not directly address the call for the apology, but said, "It's time to stop arguing and get back to work. It's gotten to be so petty that I feel like I'm back in junior high school."

He also voiced his support for the Hamilton County Water and Wastewater Treatment Authority (WWTA). Commissioner Boyd had questioned high raises for several WWTA officials and called the agency the worst in the county.

The county mayor said he looked into the WWTA raises and was told they had not been adjusted for a lengthy time and were put on a scale with other county employees.

He said the WWTA has to put into place EPA and TDEC regulations and wound up with having to fix problems with leaky home sewer lines. He said without the work of the WWTA "we would not be able to build anywhere in this county."

Tim Boyd
Tim Boyd
Breaking News
New Hope Fire Department Disputes TWRA Report On Kayaker Rescues
  • 3/28/2024

New Hope Fire Department Corey Comstock disputed a report by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency about the rescue of 33 kayakers from extremely high winds near Nickajack Cave on Monday. ... more

Motorcyclist Hit Speeds Of 170 MPH; Posted Video Of Outrunning Police
Motorcyclist Hit Speeds Of 170 MPH; Posted Video Of Outrunning Police
  • 3/28/2024

A motorcyclist fled on Sunday, from a Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office deputy attempting to make a lawful stop on Highway 27. Since that time, the deputy has been working leads to identify the ... more

Latest Hamilton County Arrest Report
  • 3/28/2024

Here is the latest Hamilton County arrest report: ADERHOLT, FELICIA DAWN 1110 ST CLAIR ST DUNLAP, 37327 Age at Arrest: 37 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Booked for Previous ... more