Commissioner Howard Thompson offered a public apology at the Nov. 4 meeting of the Bradley County Commission for remarks he made after the previous meeting that drew attention on social media.

“I do apologize to the community and and also Bradley County for anything I said that might offend them,” Thompson said, adding that he had apologized to Commissioner Slater and to the company involved.

In response to the controversy, the commission chair said elected officials must model civility and announced an immediate reassignment: “Effective immediately, I appoint Mike Hughes to serve as chair of the building and land committee,” the chair told the room.

The personnel change was announced as the chair urged commissioners to maintain conduct that preserves public confidence. The chair also noted that commissioners are independently elected and can only be removed through resignation, criminal conviction, or the voters.

During public comment, resident Tara Waldrop said she had not heard a full acknowledgment that the remarks were inappropriate and urged Thompson to resign, saying the comments had placed the county in the national spotlight and had caused additional harm to grieving families. “I still haven't heard you say that you regret those remarks and that you acknowledge they were unkind, insensitive, and deeply inappropriate,” she said.

A different resident, Mary Wood, spoke in defense of Thompson, describing his long record of community service and calling the matter a mistake made after the meeting adjourned. “Mister Thompson did absolutely nothing wrong, simply made a mistake after the meeting was adjourned,” she said.

No formal disciplinary action or removal took place during the meeting; the only formal action recorded related to committee leadership. The chair’s reassignment of the Building and Land Committee chairmanship to Commissioner Mike Hughes took effect immediately.

The commission’s next meeting schedule and contact information were provided at the close of the session.