mayor obtains new assistant

published: June 12 2008 10:48 AM updated:: June 14 2008 09:05 AM

After a brief, whirlwind courtship, Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters hired Gatlinburg Fire Chief Greg Patterson as the county’s new assistant mayor.

Patterson was the lone known candidate for the job that was recently vacated by Curtis Henry, who had previously been the mayor’s assistant for approximately two years but left become principal at Gatlinburg-Pittman High School.

Patterson has served in the past as a county commissioner and an administrator for the city of Pigeon Forge.

It is believed that Patterson was the only candidate that Waters even interviewed for the position that comes with an annual salary of up to $92,000 a year. Patterson allegedly told one area publication recently that he was offered the job on June 10.

Waters’ reportedly only advertised the open assistant mayor position one time in the Sevier County daily newspaper on June 7. The advertisement for the important county position appeared in the publication without a job-description.

Patterson was hired by Waters three days after his initial interview.

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User Comments

#1 Taxpayers suffer commented, on June 14, 2008 at 8:27 a.m.:

This entire episode stinks of back room deals, cronyism and corruption. There was nothing proper about this entire selection process. The taxpayers are the ones to suffer and King Larry gets another unqualified friend onto the payroll. Why is it that the county commission doesn't have any say so in this position that they fund for $92,000 a year? The taxpayers pay that salary and have no input either. This entire process is wrong - there isn't even a written job description for this position. Like so many of the rules in this county - it is all in Larry's head - interpreted any way he so desires. Wrong! Wrong! Wrong!

#2 Yep.... commented, on June 14, 2008 at 12:56 p.m.:

...and not a dang thing will be done about it because all anyone will do it bitch and whine and they know it. He will be making that money for 10-20 years because no one with any real power will question it. Only us sorry taxpayers that can't do didley squat.

#3 Observer commented, on June 16, 2008 at 11:49 a.m.:

Larry Waters has way too much power in this county. The weak commissioners should take back some of that power and stand up. Why even have a commission at all if they just rubber stamp every decision Larry makes. Why do we pay them?

#4 Ditto commented, on June 16, 2008 at 1:14 p.m.:

Doing Business in Sevier County has been handled by 'rubber stamp' for so many years it seems unreal that finally the Media have begun to see the light! By the couple or three editorials published in just past ten days it seems the unshakable confidence so long enjoyed by the Mayor and those who ride side-saddle with him is beginning to fade, could that be true?

These recent developments direct taxpayers to better understand why all these individuals have been attempting to speak to the Commission - why could the commission members not see through this before now?

Justwho really are the so-called 'wakos' today in this county, seems the label is beginning to apply to a different set of wackos, is it the Mayor and his cronies, or are the 'wackos' the weak commissioners who have been led along by the nose for so long? We expect more than this of these commissioners, shame on you!

#5 Sassy commented, on June 16, 2008 at 1:23 p.m.:

Weak commissioners bowing to Waters. Weak school board members bowing to Parton. No public discussion of any sort. All have little back room deals and then rubber stamp it publicly in a meeting without public input but the public taxpayer sure does get the shaft. What is in the water in Sevier county. Let me make sure I never drink it! One has to have every means at their disposal to dispel corruption. At least Joe Karl h at the Seymour Herald will print articles and opinions that may not be popular, but are right. You would never see that with Stan Voit at the Mountain Depressed! My word, it may HURT somebody's feelings. Without exposure, it (the corruption) goes on and on!

#6 Brother John commented, on June 16, 2008 at 1:38 p.m.:

Doing Business in Sevier County has been by rubber stamp for so many years can it be realistic that now the Media are finally seeing the light of day?

Recent editorials in past ten days appear to show a different focus on the situation in this county in that the Mayor is loosing his 'unshakable confidence' enjoyed for so long as the facts are coming out. Is the label of 'wackos' now applying to a different set of folks, are the Mayor and his cronies that ride side-saddle with him now the true wackos of the County, those weak-kneed commissioners who have been led by the nose for so long?

Perhaps it is easier NOW to understand why citizens were attempting to get the attention of the full commission when they were blinded with heads turned away. Unless they now step up to the plate and regain their control of their vote they will soon be labeled the 'wackos of the county!'

Surely these commissioners see themselves as they are seen today, as having been too weak for too long. They know who they are, SHAME ON THEM!