In Greenback, 44 year incumbent Mayor Tom Peeler, was soundly defeated by former alderman, Dewayne Birchfield in the November 6th election. Customarily in Greenback, newly elected officials are sworn in and take office at the next city council meeting after the election is officially certified. But this time, the outgoing Mayor Peeler canceled the November council meeting and the December council meetings apparently believing this would prohibit the new mayor from taking office. However, the Greenback Charter states that newly elected mayor shall take office after elected.

6-3-105. Oaths of office. The mayor, after the mayor's election, shall take an oath of office to support the constitution of the state and faithfully discharge the duties of the mayor's office, before any officer authorized to administer oaths. This officer or the mayor shall then induct the aldermen into office by administering to them a similar oath of office. Oaths of office shall be filed in the archives of the municipality. [Acts 1991, ch. 154, § 1.] Greenback Charter

Since all the council meetings were canceled, newly elected Mayor Birchfield, took his oath and was sworn in on November 20th, the day after the election was certified, officially making him the Mayor of Greenback. Apparently though, the former mayor Peeler has decided the new mayor can not take office till January.

Yesterday, Mayor Birchfield went to the Greenback City Hall to present his certificate of election from the election commission to the city treasurer/recorder, Ms. Norma Peeler to officially take office. And yes, Ms. Norma Peeler is the wife of the now former Mayor Tom Peeler. Ms. Peeler explained to the new mayor he couldn't take office till January but never explained why. Legally, Tom Peeler is no longer the mayor and Dewayne Birchfield is the mayor. To his credit, Mr. Birchfield didn't cause any problems or argue with Ms. Peeler but agreed to meet with her on December 27th to discuss transition details. Ms. Peeler is one of only two, paid Greenback employees. While Mr. Birchfield was talking with Ms. Peeler, former Mayor Tom Peeler was shuffling through papers on his wife's desk but never acknowledged Birchfield's presence.

As far as I know, locally, there has never been an incident where a defeated official refused to step aside to allow the duly elected official to take the office and I'm not too sure what can be done about it. I guess the new mayor could have the ex mayor removed by law enforcement? Don't know.

Mayor Birchfield has already shown great restraint in dealing with this childishness by the Peelers but they may as well come to terms with the fact that's there's a new mayor in town, literally. The citizens of Greenback overwhelmingly elected Mr. Birchfield and apparently, are now going to have to have their voices heard again. The former mayor needs to step away now. If his wife wants to continue in her paid position, so be it. That's the will of the council. (The Peeler's daughter is one of the 4 council members) But this delaying stuff needs to stop now.

For an elected official who stated that losing the election "was the happiest day of his life" Peeler sure seems to be doing everything he can to hold on to the job.

And by the way, former mayor Peeler has stated that the annual Christmas Parade has been canceled but new Mayor Birchfield says the parade is still on as scheduled.

I'll keep you posted on this issue.    

Loudon County Mayor, Buddy Bradshaw administering the oath to
Dewayne Birchfield November 20th