Commissioners Upset Taylor’s Computer, Cell Phone Not Been Returned By Wamp; Wamp Legal Fees In Case Authorized Up To Almost $30,000

Weston Wamp

Some County Commission users reported Wednesday they are dismayed that County Mayor Weston Wamp has not returned County Lawyer Rheubin Taylor’s laptop or computer and mobile mobile phone inspite of a fee resolution directing that it be performed.
Also, Commissioner Warren Mackey mentioned he is involved that some county employees feel “intimidated” by the Wamp administration.
The new county mayor issued a directive that the longtime county lawyer be fired. Attorney Taylor has stayed on, when citing he has a four-year contract. The make any difference is now in Chancery Courtroom.
Questioned by Commissioner Greg Martin, County Mayor Wamp claimed he hired attorney Barret Albritton to represent him in the Taylor case at a charge of up to “just less than $25,000.” At the $25,000 amount, it would have needed County Commission approval. County Mayor Wamp before expended $5,000 of county cash for a legal impression from a Knoxville lawyer in the Taylor issue.
The fee previously hired attorney John Konvalinka for his information in the situation for $10,000.
Commissioner Mackey claimed if the county winds up possessing to spend attorney Taylor for his remaining contract and also pay a alternative county attorney “it could be close to a million dollars.”
Legal professional Albritton said the county attorney’s office environment has carried on with remaining employees in the absence of county legal professional Taylor. County Legal professional Taylor responded, “I have been there every working day,” even though he reported he has been hampered by not acquiring his county laptop and cell telephone.
Attorney Albritton, who said the two sides are transferring toward a settlement, stated the overall health benefits have been restored for lawyer Taylor, whose wife has heart difficulties.
Vice Chairman Joe Graham reported, “If we move a resolution, that is some thing that ought to be honored until finally a judge tells us it is not legitimate.” He claimed the motion “blatantly disrespects what this physique does. If we you should not honor the regulation, then this is the wild, wild West.”
Commissioner David Sharpe explained, “It really is a really severe concern how extended our county lawyer can go on without his computer system.”
Commissioner Greg Beck mentioned, “Do we have to go to courtroom every time we pass a resolution? When we go some thing, it should to go into effect.”
He mentioned the response of the Wamp administration on the resolutions passed by the fee in support of attorney Taylor was “We ain’t gonna do very little.”
Some commissioners also had problems with a proposed Wamp resolution “TO Extend Regulations Concerning SECONDARY Work AND E-mail, Net, Telephones, Mobile Telephones, AND INTRANET TO ALL Staff.”
County Mayor Wamp said “in the desire of transparency” that the regulations ought to increase to upper-stage staff, like individuals in his office as effectively as the county attorney.
He claimed the county handbook experienced not been current considering that 2010 and this and other sections have to have to be transform.
A person intention of the adjust would be to prevent county officials from getting outside the house careers that “adversely impact their task functionality” or increase a possible conflict of curiosity. County Lawyer Taylor has an arrangement that he can do outdoors authorized work.
The county mayor claimed under latest procedures, passed by the County Data Commission, that emails are only stored for 10 days. He reported 5 years is the accepted regular, and he reported the Sheriff’s Workplace retains them for 10 yrs.
Requested the price tag, he mentioned one particular estimate was $7,500 per thirty day period for the e-mail storage.
Commissioner Mackey said, “Can you visualize the price if we took these information again permanently? I am not inclined to spend any money on it.
“I am opposed to tracking anyone. It’s major federal government and intrusive government. I get it as another endeavor to intimidate personnel and maintain anything over their heads. I see a trend of seeking to intimidate county personnel, and I don’t like It.”
He reported commissioners have heard from a variety of involved county employees.
Lawyer Taylor explained, about putting new policies on his workplace, that it bargains with a range of private legal professional-client matters. He mentioned, “We have information in our office that we have to maintain private.”