Cedar Bluff Mayor Tammy Crane has issued a response in regards to a letter submitted to WEIS Radio News on Tuesday by Cedar Bluff resident Roger Griffeth who was removed from Monday’s Town Council meeting by Cedar Bluff Police for being disruptive.

According to a letter we received from Griffeth on Tuesday, he contends the Town violated Resolution 2016-16 which states the Mayor is the responsible party for conducting meetings of the Town Council in an orderly fashion in accordance with Robert’s Rules and Resolution 2016-16 and that Mayor Crane was playing by “Homemade Rules of Order”.

(Resolution 2016-16 Can Be Found By Clicking Here)

On Wednesday, we received a signed letter from Mayor Crane is response to Mr. Griffeth’s letter. (Click Here To View Mr. Griffeth’s Response)

In her letter, Mayor Crane stated that she clearly stated the procedural guidelines for the public comment time that would occur later in the meeting. She specifically said that audience members would not be allowed to interrupt the recognized speaker during the time they had the floor. She also stated that anyone not following these rules or causing disruption would be asked to leave.

Mayor Crane went on to say that Mr. Griffeth interrupted a speaker during public comment and as a member of the audience was not entitled to make a “point of order” challenge.  Mayor Crane issued a warning and Griffeth continued to interrupt.

At that point a Cedar Bluff Police Officer cautioned Griffeth to be quiet, but he continued to interrupt and he was escorted out of the building.

Griffeth contends that in removing him from the meeting the Mayor violated Alabama’s Open Meeting Law by not allowing him to remain in the meeting.

Griffeth has requested that the Town provide him with a written apology within five (5) from the date the grievance was received and said that if the Town does not respond to the grievance within ten (10) days, he intends to file a formal complaint against the Town for a violation of the Open Meeting Act.