News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Cookeville City Council Member Charles Womack wants answers about Cookeville Regional’s hiring of Mayor Ricky Shelton as its Chief Strategy Officer.
“The motion asked for outside legal advice to assist the city council members in doing an investigation,” Womack said.
Womack said he had questions about the legality and appearances of impropriety in Shelton’s hiring. He asked the council Thursday night to move forward with the hire of outside attorneys.
After discussion, the council voted 3-2 to postpone Womack’s proposal until the next council meeting February 18. Shelton, Eric Walker and Vice Mayor Laurin Wheaton voted to postpone the discussion.
The motion was not on the council’s original Thursday agenda. It was not discussed at Monday’s work session where items are usually discussed before the meeting.
Shelton began the new position at Cookeville Regional January 4. His hiring came after advertisement of the position and interviews conducted by CEO Paul Korth. Attorney Danny Rader said Korth has control over hires made at the hospital.
Rader told the council that both he and his father, Dan, had vetted the hiring against the city charter and the act that created Cookeville Regional.
“Whether it’s a nurse, it’s true whether it’s a custodial worker, whether it’s a nutrition worker or someone in the cafeteria, it’s true whether it’s an x-ray tech or any other type of person, those folks can run for the city council,” Rader said. “They can serve on the city council. And the fact that someone on the city council has obtained a position with the hospital is, in my opinion, not improper.”
“If you’re not confident in my legal opinion, you certainly have a right to ask for a second opinion,” Rader said.
Rader also serves on the Cookeville Regional Board of Trustees.
Council members were encouraged to meet individually with CEO Paul Korth to discuss any concerns. No council members took advantage of that opportunity.
Council Member Eric Walker said he had questions about the issue and wanted clarity on the hiring. But Walker added that the council’s decision should be based on wanting to find out the truth.
“It’s certainly our responsibility to explore and gather that information, to substantiate these actions,” Walker said. “But it should certainly be clearly understood to validate any actions or such actions should not be seen as an effort to undermine. And I think that that’s what’s important here. You know, it’s I think it’s remove any doubt and and to see trust into those who are in power to serve everyone.”
Shelton resigned his position on the Cookeville Regional Board of Trustees upon his hire. He appointed Vice Mayor Laurin Wheaton to take over his position. At his hiring in December, Shelton said he would recuse himself from any Cookeville Regional votes that involved the council.
In general, the council’s only oversight with CRMC involves the approval of a budget or the selling of land.
Korth asked CRMC Board of Trustees members at the January meeting if they had any questions about Shelton’s position. No one, including Wheaton, spoke. Korth thanked Shelton for his work on the board.
