The executive committee made up of Lenoir City mayor, Tony Aikens, Loudon mayor Jeff Harris, county mayor, Buddy Bradshaw and committee of 100 chairman, John Evans. Bradshaw was the only opposition to the 15k bonus on the executive committee.

The executive committee recommends to the board of directors which is made up of, Lenoir City councilman, Eddie Simpson, farm owner John Harrison, Buddy Bradshaw, county commissioner Gary Whitfield, Chamber of Commerce chairman, Bret Hurst, and Jeff Harris.

After working for the EDA for 14 years, Qualls finally sold one of the larger properties in The Center 75 Industrial Park, so apparently, some members felt he was deserving of the bonus.

Fortunately, when the board vote was taken for the bonus, it failed with Jeff Harris, Eddie Simpson and John Evans voting for it. Buddy Bradshaw, Gary Whitfield, John Harrison and Bret Hurst voting no. Board member, Bruce Giles was absent.

As a foot note, Loudon mayor, Jeff Harris is not a legal member of the EDA board of directors, thus his vote would not count anyway. Also, director Jack Qualls, applied for the Loudon City manager position but did not make the first cut.

If more evidence was needed that the EDA needs to go away, here it is.