news-record.com

Whether an elected official should have home access to Pleasant Garden's files and other town documents led to a heated discussion among council members during Tuesday's meeting.

The debate began after Councilman Bob Wyrick requested passwords and remote access to the town's computer server.

The only people with that access are Sandy Carmany, town administrator and finance officer, and Assistant Clerk Linda Baker.

Carmany said Wyrick had made that same request six months ago. She was advised by David Lawrence of the Institute of Governments at UNC-Chapel Hill not to divulge the information.

"It's not that we are trying to keep any council member from those files," Carmany said. "Any of them (council members) can have any of the town's information if they ask for it."

Town attorney Don Vaughn said there had never been a request from a council member to have computer access to the town's protected documents.

Vaughn suggested that Wyrick put his request in writing and he would send it to Lawrence.

Wyrick then made a motion to deny anyone remote access to town information until he received a response from Lawrence.

When the motion was quickly disputed by other members of the council, Wyrick withdrew the motion.

Councilman Rick Wallace said he didn't want to hamper the clerk and assistant clerk from conducting town business.

Council member Chris Johnson and Mayor Anne Hice expressed similar concerns.