Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank says the county commission chairman has made accusations against her related to county travel and vehicle policy, but she has violated no laws.
CLINTON—Her honesty has been questioned, and she has been the subject of a politically motivated smear campaign, Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank said.
Anderson County Commission Chairman Chuck Fritts has accused her of taking advantage of taxpayers by using a county car and accepting travel payments, Frank during a Monday morning press conference at the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton.
But in a roughly 3,000-word speech, Frank said she hasn’t driven the county car—even though she could. And she has not requested any reimbursement for travel, even though she would be eligible to request reimbursement for more than 1,800 miles, Frank told about 50 people gathered in front of the courthouse on a chilly Monday morning.
“There is one accusation that will never stick, and that is that I would abuse your tax dollars for my own personal enrichment,” Frank said.
She said she has violated no laws, and Fritts’ charges are politically motivated.
Fritts, who was not immediately available for comment Monday morning, recently told the Knoxville News Sentinel that Frank needs to choose between the monthly $400 travel stipend and the county car, a 1998 Ford Crown Victoria once used by the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department.
“She really owes the taxpayers back,†Fritts said.
About 50 people, including several dozen pictured above, listen as Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank says she has violated no travel laws.
But Frank said she had only recently learned of the stipend. During Monday’s roughly 20-minute press conference, she described it as a salary supplement added to the mayor’s salary in 1988 under former Anderson County Mayor David Bolling. It was removed in January 2011 when former Mayor Rex Lynch resigned, but reinstated retroactively under former Interim Mayor Myron Iwanksi.
She said Fritts hasn’t asked any other mayor to refund taxpayer money they requested for travel reimbursement, and Fritts voted in favor of a salary increase under Iwanski that was designed to help the former interim mayor cover personal vehicle expenses.
Frank accused Fritts of driving the Crown Victoria to Nashville in February 2011 and not returning the vehicle the way he received it. Instead, the commission chairman chose to only put three gallons of gas in it on the way home, for the last few miles of the trip, “rather than fill it up and request reimbursement from the appropriate commission travel code,†Frank said.
She said Fritts has submitted 32 requests for travel reimbursement during his time in office, and all but one were for travel in his personal vehicle.
Meanwhile, Frank said, she has made improvements to her county office—painting it, for example—and bought supplies at her own expense. And she hasn’t asked for reimbursement for parking fees or meals while she has been conducting county business.
That doesn’t make her better than previous mayors or other county employees, who are legally entitled to reimbursement, Frank said.
“However, I feel in my heart and gut that we are living in perilous economic times, and I believe it is up to me to go the extra mile in setting an example for those I work with,” she said. “I want to show them I am sacrificing too.”
Frank said she did not want to “smear” Fritts, but she had been smeared.
“I am hopeful Commissioner Fritts will admit he misunderstood the law and misjudged me as a person,” Frank said. “I am hopeful to work with him in improving the lives of the people in his district and all the people of Anderson County.”
Frank, who was elected in August to serve the remaining two years of Lynch’s term, took no questions at the press conference.
More information will be added as it becomes available.
Note:Â This story was last updated at 12:35 p.m.
Ck Kelsey says
I think it’s time for Fritts to look for a real job,one that doesn’t involve government.
Mark Caldwell says
Am I correct in interpreting Ms. Franks statements that she did not accept travel reimbursement because the money she accepted for travel reimbursement was part of her salary?
Maybe if she allowed members of the press to ask questions I would not be as unsure.
Denny Phillips says
And she has not requested any reimbursement for travel, even though she
would be eligible to request reimbursement for more than 1,800 miles,…. Meanwhile, Frank said, she has made improvements to her county
office—painting it, for example—and bought supplies at her own expense.
And she hasn’t asked for reimbursement for parking fees or meals while
she has been conducting county business….”.However, I feel in my heart and gut that we are living in perilous
economic times, and I believe it is up to me to go the extra mile in
setting an example for those I work with,†she said. “I want to show
them I am sacrificing too.â€
Reading is fundamental.
Mark Caldwell says
“Frank needs to choose between the monthly $400 travel stipend and the county car, a 1998 Ford Crown Victoria once used by the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department.”
________________________________________
Thank you Denny. We both agree that reading is fundamental.
And we both can cut and paste.
Kudos!
Denny Phillips says
Lol. You are “interpreting” Ms. Franks statements by quoting Chuck Fritts?
Pointless even talking with you.
Bash away troll, bash away!
Ck Kelsey says
Chuck can’t find a razor,let’s buy him one.
Ann says
Are you serious with these posts? You post scripture and God is love on Facebook, and then post hate on here. Which is it? You can disagree with someone, but you don’t have to be so immature.
Guest says
Guest ?
Guest says
I think your hate was posted and you just saw that !
Mark Caldwell says
Bash? Troll?
Would you care to explain your response?
Steve Mason says
And, of course, we all need to remember that you’re defending your sister, right Mr. Phillips?
Denny Phillips says
What a super sleuth you are. I don’t hide my identity.
Ck Kelsey says
And would you be snarky to Ms. Frank if her husband was standing right there in the same room when you make accusations ? Doubt it .
Steve Mason says
Truth is truth, CK. Don’t you think that it’s pertinent to the readers to understand that Mr. Phillips has a bit more than a passing interest in the person that he is so vehemently defending?
Denny Phillips says
If I am “vehemently defending” then I suppose the article is as well. After all, all I did was quote it.
Guest says
So he doesn’t have the same rights you do?
Denny Phillips says
John:
Where is Myron Iwanski on this issue? He had access to the vehicle, received travel reimbursement and the so-called “travel stipend”. Would be interested to know if the former Interim-Mayor intends to repay the county and what his understanding on the issue is. Thanks.
Steve Mason says
According to Mr. Iwanski’s statement in the News-Sentinel, he never used the vehicle, nor took the “travel stipend”. Wonder who’s telling the truth.
Denny Phillips says
John: could you confirm for us when for the “travel stipend” was re-instated for the County Mayor’s office? I believe Mayor Frank made those documents viewable for the public and media.
Steve Mason says
Why does it matter when it was reinstated in regard to Mr. Iwanski? Unless you have evidence otherwise, he says that he didn’t take any of travel money and therefore has no reason to repay any money as you (and as CK “snarkily” calls such comments) imply. Why do you even bring it up?
Denny Phillips says
Mayor Frank has made that information available to all citizens as well as the media. It is pertinent in that if Mr. Iwanski did indeed receive this salary increase dubbed “travel stipend” and if there is a conflict for both having access to a vehicle and receiving said “stipend” then either both Mayors owe the county repayment or there is an inconsistency in an enforcement of the policy.
Mr. Huotari should have at his disposal a the documentation and answer to this question.
John Huotari says
Denny, I have received a statement from Myron Iwanski. I haven’t had a chance to write a story yet, but I hope to do so this evening. I have not had a chance to look through the documents the mayor has. Thank you.
Guest says
“She said Fritts hasn’t asked any other mayor to refund taxpayer money th ey requested for travel reimbursement, and Fritts voted in favor of a salary increase under Iwanski that was designed to help the former interim mayor cover personal vehicle expenses.
Frank accused Mr. Fritts of driving the Crown Victoria to Nashville in February 2011 and not returning the vehicle the way he received it. Instead, the commission chairman chose to only put three gallons of gas in it on the way home, for the last few miles of the trip, “rather than fill it up and request reimbursement from the appropriate commission travel code,†Frank said.”
I would like to hear Fritts reply (or his people) to this.
John Huotari says
Thank you all for your comments. I want to remind everyone to please stay on topic, keep the conversation civil, and avoid making the discussion personal. Thank you for your participation and understanding. I think this conversation has run its course, so I’m closing this thread.