Councilman Reed resigns committee posts in scheduling flap with mayor
By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio
Click to enlarge Councilman Tommy Reed’s letter of resignation from his role as the city council’s sign committee chairman and co-chairman of the finance committee.
Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014, 7 a.m. — Bardstown City Councilman Tommy Reed resigned Tuesday evening from his posts as chairman of the council’s sign committee and co-chairman of the council’s finance committee.
In a letter to Mayor Bill Sheckles, Reed said Sheckles blindsided him last week by scheduling a finance committee meeting without consulting him and then setting that meeting so it conflicted with the previously set sign committee meeting.
The sign committee met at 4 p.m. last Wednesday, and Sheckles set the finance committee for 5 p.m.
In his letter, Reed explained that the timing of the two meetings “impeded the chair (me) from operating the sign committee to its fullest and impeding the co-chair (me) in attending the first half of the finance committee.”
The mayor’s move showed “the utmost condescension toward me,” he wrote.
“I know that some might see this as trite, but in addition to other attempts to circumnavigate the council, I believe attention of this should be brought to light and get it off my chest. And having said this, I tender my resignation from chair of both the sign committee and the finance committee.”
Reed ended his resignation with an apology to the citizens of Bardstown for any inconvenience his decision may cause.
As of press time this morning, Reed had not responded to an email for additional comment. The phone number listed on the city council web page was the Bethlehem High School business line.
Reed’s term on the council expires at the end of this year. He did not file for re-election.
-30-
