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Alderman Ruth Responds to Wayne Brown's Letter in the RC Times - 3-12-2008
I would like to respond to CMS Assistant Coach Wayne Brown’s letter to the editor, “Thank
you for support of sports program,” published on March 5 in the Robertson County Times.
Mr. Brown, I am perplexed as to why you tried to discredit me in the local paper. You did
receive the $8,000 donation which the football team requested of the City; why did you feel it
necessary to publish false information about me? I talked to Head Coach Dustin Wilson after
the Coopertown Board meeting and he was very understanding of my position.
You could have contacted me to discuss my vote or you could have discussed it with your wife,
who is the Coopertown City Recorder. Mrs. Brown was at the Board meeting on February 26.
I trust when she prepares the minutes of the meeting they will reflect the statement I made
prior to my vote. I explained that I could not vote for the donation based on many questions
and concerns I have with regard to our City finances. Some of my concerns are:
not true.
Mr. Brown, you should set a better example for our children. By attempting to slander me in
the newspaper you are risking your own reputation in an effort to please your wife’s
employer, Mayor Crosby.
Peggy Ruth, Alderman
pruth87-coopertown@yahoo.com
I would like to respond to CMS Assistant Coach Wayne Brown’s letter to the editor, “Thank
you for support of sports program,” published on March 5 in the Robertson County Times.
Mr. Brown, I am perplexed as to why you tried to discredit me in the local paper. You did
receive the $8,000 donation which the football team requested of the City; why did you feel it
necessary to publish false information about me? I talked to Head Coach Dustin Wilson after
the Coopertown Board meeting and he was very understanding of my position.
You could have contacted me to discuss my vote or you could have discussed it with your wife,
who is the Coopertown City Recorder. Mrs. Brown was at the Board meeting on February 26.
I trust when she prepares the minutes of the meeting they will reflect the statement I made
prior to my vote. I explained that I could not vote for the donation based on many questions
and concerns I have with regard to our City finances. Some of my concerns are:
- Coopertown is currently undergoing a special audit by the State Comptroller, Division
of Municipal Audit. We have not been notified when the audit will be completed. (RC
Times 1-4-08 and Tennessean 1-5-08)
- Unprofessional, perhaps illegal, handling of City funds. At the Feb. 26 Board meeting
the Mayor and Gordon Rhodes, the street supervisor, advised that a “verbal contract”
was made with a contractor for $17,500 for roadside tree trimming. The mayor directed
Rhodes to pay the contractor a daily rate of $2,000, the mayor’s spending limit,
apparently to circumvent State bidding requirements.
- The mayor insists on an upgraded lighting plan for the interstate which will increase our
debt from the original $18,500 approved to approximately $345,232 of the $549,234
project cost plus maintenance and electric costs. (RC Times 2-20-08) Since Mayor
Crosby has alienated the mayors of Robertson County, Cheatham County and Pleasant
View it is unlikely there will be any cost sharing. Most important – the mayor must get
approval of the financing plan from the State Comptroller. The mayor will be required
to sign a pledge of property taxes if other revenues are insufficient to repay the debt. I
feel that Coopertown residents should not be faced with a property tax assessment if
the Mayor cannot balance the budget and pay for this expensive project.
- At least $56,813.91 in payments to Mayor Crosby’s personal attorney which were not in
the City budget, nor was the budget amended to reflect the payments. ($15,000 paid 12-
10-07 and $41,813.91 paid 12-31-07) Use of public money to pay the mayor’s personal
debt is questionable (see Court of Appeals decision and TN case law).
- According to Coopertown’s insurance provider, Tennessee Municipal League (TML)
and court dockets, at least nine lawsuits are pending against Mayor Crosby and the
City by former employees and residents. The financial impact of these suits on our
budget has not been taken into consideration by the Mayor and Aldermen.
- Coopertown was delinquent in 2007 payments to the Pleasant View Fire Department.
(RC Times 11-21-07) Payments were not made until after the Mayor and Aldermen
were contacted by an attorney in November. The problem continues since the next
quarterly payment, due January 31, 2008 was not paid as of our Feb. 26 board meeting.
The mayor and city recorder said they did not receive the bill, which was sent certified
mail, or my e mail asking if payments were current.
- The mayor fired four police officers because of “budget constraints” (RC Times
- 11-21-07) yet he has continued to spend money on other items.
- Because of my concerns over Coopertown’s finances, I have requested budget reports
and check registers more than twelve times between September 25, 2007 and March 7,
2008. I have been given various excuses by the mayor and city recorder as to why they
are not available. The mayor now advises me that the reports will be ready on March
11 at 3PM.
not true.
- I taught elementary school for twelve years and I have participated in a mentoring
program at my church for at risk children for the past six years.
- Two days after the mayor announced a plan to provide Christmas gifts for needy
Coopertown children, I gathered donations and delivered my check on December 20,
2007 to our city recorder for $700. Our donation was never acknowledged by the mayor.
- Our granddaughter plays softball in Coopertown; her father is the coach of her team
and my husband has worked in the concession stand.
- My husband attended UT Martin on a football scholarship and he has hosted a
motivational and team building trip to Fort Campbell twice in the last few years for the
entire UTM football team. He has offered to help with the CMS football program.
- We have contributed to various Coopertown school and sports fundraisers, most
recently the spaghetti dinner and silent auction for the football team.
Mr. Brown, you should set a better example for our children. By attempting to slander me in
the newspaper you are risking your own reputation in an effort to please your wife’s
employer, Mayor Crosby.
Peggy Ruth, Alderman
pruth87-coopertown@yahoo.com
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