“There is so much hate in this town” (Westminster)

A series of exposes laid bare in the last week by The Journal helped create tension as Westminster’s city fathers gathered for their regular August meeting, in front of about 30 or more interested members of the public—an unusual show of interest in the small town’s affairs.  And some of that not previously transacted publicly came to light as members of the audience engaged the elected leaders.  Four of the councilmen were accused of excluding the mayor and two other councilmen from discussions of city business. Five members of the public spoke, three of whom pushed for a nepotism rule that would forbid an elected official to serve while a spouse simultaneously holds a paid administrative job.  The more impassioned of the speakers was Judy Caywood, wife of a former councilman.  Holding            a newspaper article in her hands, Caywood said, “There is so much hate in this town….You are tearing our city apart.” The public comment speakers target for a nepotism rule was Councilman Reid Adams and his wife, Jennifer Adams, the clerk-treasurer.  Part of the discord centered on a $5,200 raise awarded Mrs. Adams for additional duties while the city tries to fill the vacant position of city administrator.  Mr. Adams did not vote for the pay raise. His wife had a defender in Councilman Danny Duncan, who spoke to the assured the meeting room that she is not going to be the city administrator.  He explained that between the departure of the last administrator Chris Carter, it was felt that the city needed someone to be able to handle some of the duties that would fall to an administrator.