thedailytimes.com : Your 24/7 news source

Friendsville Mayor David Staley broke a 2-2 tie on a motion to oust him as mayor and kept his job.

At Friendsville City Commission Thursday night, Commissioner Darrell Welch charged that Staley violated city regulations by spending $12,500 for a city dump truck at an auction.

The city requires any purchase over $10,000 be put out for competitive bid.

"The truck was found and it was better than anything I had seen," Staley said. "It was four-wheel drive." He also said there was no time to notify the commissioners.

"I don't think time was an issue," Welch said,

City attorney Rob Goddard said, "If you buy something over $10,000, you have to put it out for bid. It almost makes it impossible to buy it at auction if it is over $10,000."

Welch said he didn't think it was enough just to say the mayor did something wrong. He wanted some action taken.

Commissioner Gary Simerly moved that Staley resign as mayor and Welch seconded the motion.

The vote split with Simerly and Welch voting to remove Staley and Commissioners Ann Edmonds and Mike Jeffries voting no.

"You make the decision," Welch told Staley.

"It's not worth the stress of putting up with for $1 a year," Staley said, but he voted no.