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Resident alleges improper road-commission payments; officials cite pending lawsuit
Summary
At Hamblen County Commission public comment, Gwen Holden alleged road commissioners were paid for canceled 2020 meetings and said Dr. Tom Hyde owes about $800; county officials said the matter is subject to litigation and Hyde offered to provide a check pending resolution.
During public comment on the agenda item to appoint a District 1 commissioner, Gwen Holden accused several road commissioners of receiving pay for meetings that did not occur during 2020 and urged the commission not to appoint Tom Hyde unless he repaid roughly $800 she said he had not returned. "Doctor Hyde owes the county taxpayers 800," Holden said, and said she had documentation showing missed meetings for which payments were made.
County officials and other speakers responded that the matter is part of a pending lawsuit and that the legal status — including whether an executive order during the COVID period suspended aspects of the private act cited — needs adjudication. A county representative told the commission that Hyde had offered to leave an $800 check at the clerk's desk while the legal case proceeds. Linda Noe, speaking later, said the defendant had filed an answer about 10 days earlier and that precise effects of any executive order had not been specified publicly.
The commission did not take further action on the repayment allegation at the meeting; members said the courts would need to resolve the legal questions. The claim remains disputed in the public record and dependent on court outcomes.
