LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – Ann Thompson has resigned from the LaFollette City Council.

In a letter dated Oct. 28, addressed to Mayor Mike Stanfield, Thompson cited personal reasons for leaving the council.

Ann Thompson, a veteran member of the LaFollette City Council, resigned from her post with two years remaining on her term.

Although the council met last week, Stanfield didn’t mention the letter to the group.

The introduction of the letter would have meant a discussion about filling Thompson’s term for the remainder of her term, which is two years.

On Friday, Nov. 6, Stanfield confirmed to WLAF that Thompson had tendered her resignation prior to the Nov. 4 meeting but that he had “talked her out of it.”

A source within city hall independently confirmed to WLAF that Thompson’s letter was emailed to council members on Friday from City Administrator Jimmy Jeffries.

On Monday, WLAF requested a copy of the letter but didn’t receive a response.

When a Freedom of Information request was filed with the city on Tuesday, Thompson’s letter was released to WLAF. On Tuesday evening, Stanfield insisted he had just received Thompson’s letter the same day as the WLAF request.

“This is all political,” Stanfield said of Thompson’s resignation. “They violate the Sunshine Law all the time.” The “they” referenced by the mayor was the city council, he said.

The Sunshine Law is the Tennessee Open Meetings Act, enacted by the Tennessee General Assembly. It essentially says that public policy and decisions is the business of the general public and shall not be conducted in secret.

Thompson is currently facing a 36 count felony indictment for allegedly hiding a tape recorder under a table in the council chambers. It is alleged that she did so in an attempt to catch her fellow council members violating the Open Meetings Act.

With Thompson resigning her seat, a vacancy will need to be filled on the council. Under the city charter, the council has 45 days to fill the seat. Should it not fill the vacancy, it becomes the mayor’s prerogative to appoint someone within 15 days at the end of the 45 day deadline.

Stanfield said the council will discuss Thompson’s vacancy at the December meeting.

“I am hearing everybody,” he said of the names being floated to take Thompson’s seat. “Bill Archer, Joe Bolinger, Hansford Hatmaker, “Hot Rod” Wilson, people that just got voted out and should not be back in office.”

Thompson is scheduled to appear in court again on Dec. 22. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED -11/11/2020- 6AM)

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