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Residents urge censure after Alderman admits using Farragut seal in campaign ads
Summary
At the July 23 Farragut board meeting residents called for formal censure after an alderman acknowledged using the town seal in campaign advertising and said he removed it after being notified; the board did not take formal disciplinary action at that meeting.
An alderman acknowledged at the July 23 Farragut Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting that he used the Town of Farragut seal in campaign advertisements and said he removed the seal after being notified on July 22.
"I did recognize that it was the town seal. I did use it in my campaign ads," the alderman said, adding that he had pulled the seal from a Google document and that no town employees, equipment, email accounts, or other public resources were used. He told the board he had removed the seal and instructed residents with campaign finance questions to contact the Tennessee Registry of Election Finance and Chris Davis.
During the citizen comment period, resident Kim Parks praised the apology but urged the board to apply the same standards the alderman had previously urged for others. "Will the standard Joe asked you to apply to somebody else apply to Joe?" Parks asked, arguing that an apology alone does not address accountability.
Another resident, John Neil, said he had discussed the matter with involved parties over the weekend and considered the issue closed.
Mayor Ron Williams did not call for a formal censure motion during the meeting and no disciplinary action was taken before adjournment. The alderman provided a phone number and invited further contact; residents and the board may revisit the matter at a future meeting if a formal complaint or motion is raised.
