Maryville meeting features heated public comments on alleged body‑shaming and payroll problems; clerk treasurer apologizes

Public comment at the March 25 Maryville Town Council meeting focused heavily on allegations of unprofessional conduct among town officials and on payroll and pension deposit problems raised by public safety unions and staff.

Councilwoman Keisha Hardaway and others said that during a private interaction following a March 18 meeting Clerk Treasurer Eric January called her a derogatory name and told her to lose weight. Hardaway said she “exercised my freedom of speech to express my disapproval of his behavior” and described the remarks as body‑shaming. Town attorney Joseph C. Svetnoff and several residents, including court administrator Shonda Flowers, also addressed the council to say they found the language unacceptable and urged accountability.

Clerk Treasurer Eric January offered a public apology at the March 25 meeting, saying he regretted the comments and noting the exchange occurred after business hours. “I do apologize... I apologize publicly, as well,” he said on the record.

Separately, union and department representatives described problems with payroll administration and state pension (PERF) and deferred‑compensation deposits. Ian Davidson Dugan, president of the Maryville Fraternal Order of Police lodge, told the council officers had seen payroll withdrawals that were not deposited and referenced a set of missed employer pension payments that amounted to roughly $200,000; he said some issues “have been corrected” but asked for oversight to prevent recurrence. Scott Molchan, representing the fire union, made similar requests regarding pension deposits.

Town staff responded with specifics about the administrative cause. Joy Whiteside, office manager in the Clerk Treasurer’s Office, explained the town recently changed who bore a 3% PERF contribution and that the personnel transition caused delays in setting up a new payroll user in the pension system. Whiteside said the new payroll administrator was added to the PERF system on Feb. 14 and that late payments “have been paid to current.” She told the council the delay was the result of a transition and that staff are taking steps to tighten check‑and‑balance procedures on payroll submissions.

Speakers from the public urged consistent enforcement of conduct standards and for the council to address what they described as long‑standing issues of personnel treatment and inconsistent disciplinary responses. Several speakers noted previous incidents they said had not been equally addressed and called for clearer, consistent policies and accountability.

Council members acknowledged the concerns and in several cases urged the parties to resolve personnel disputes through appropriate channels while the town manager and clerk treasurer said they would work with department heads and HR to correct payroll process problems. No formal disciplinary action or council vote on personnel matters was recorded on the March 25 meeting agenda or minutes.