New mayor appointed in Athens amid dissent from council member

ATHENS, Tenn. (WDEF)- The city of Athens in McMinn County has a new mayor.

The city council has appointed Larry Eaton to be the town’s new mayor.

He will be replacing Steve Sherlin, who will remain on the city council.

However, he did face opposition from council member Dick Pelly, who is currently facing a lawsuit from the city of Athens after being accused of starting a project at the city’s Veteran Park without approval from city staff or council members.

Pelly dramatically accused Eaton of using his position inappropriately, leading to tense exchanges between him and the rest of the council who disagreed with his opinion.

In one exchange after new council member John Duggan called for a point of order against Pelly after accusing of him of making up lies about Mayor Eaton, the outgoing Mayor Sherlin agreed saying, “The point of order is well taken.”

Pelly argued, “I am in opposition and it isn’t storytelling. It’s factual, okay? May I continue?”

Sherlin responded, “You may continue unless you veer or deviate from what is actual truth.”

Pelly asserted, “No this is actual truth!”

Sherlin responded, “You’re making accusations that have not been actually verified but go ahead.”

Eaton was approved four to one to be the new mayor, with Pelly being the dissenting vote.

Jordan Curtis was elevated to vice mayor.