Fireworks before farewell: missing information after city clerk resigns

A meeting of the Mountain View Board of Aldermen quickly turned explosive as Mayor Karen Gaddy asked for the agenda to be approved -- an action which split the board's vote on the motion to approve.

 

Alderwoman Gail (Wallander) Oliver expressed concern that there was no revenue information enclosed in the board's packets for the meeting. Mayor Karen Gaddy explained that some information was missing, and city hall is "doing the best they can."

 

During the vote, Alderman Calvin Perry and Alderman Toby Orchard voted yes for the agenda to be approved. Alderwomen Oliver and Jennifer McAdams both voted no. Mayor Gaddy broke the tie with a yes vote saying, "We need to move forward."

 

The "missing information" is an area of concern because the revenue information that was missing from the board packets was the responsibility of the city clerk to maintain. As previously reported by Howell County News, former City Clerk Terry Thornton resigned in September without giving notice. Gaddy received news of Thornton's resignation via text message at 8:31 a.m. on September 3, weeks before the October 13 regular meeting. 

 

Mayor Gaddy announced the resignation of Thornton at the board's September 8 meeting stating, "We've had some changes in the office this week, and so we've had to make some adjustments." Interim City Clerk Jerica Will was sworn in on October 5.

 

Thornton's resignation was discussed during a closed session meeting held on October 7 at 4:30 p.m. Alderwomen Oliver and McAdams voted to not accept Thornton's resignation.

 

The investigation continues as the city of Mountain View combs through what exactly is missing from public record and who, if anyone, is responsible for the missing information. Follow upcoming editions of the News as this is a developing story.