Athens-Henderson County Now

Athens Council OKs Budget Adjustment for Burton Severance Package

By Michael V. Hannigan

The Athens City Council voted 3-2 Monday, July 28, to approve a budget adjustment from reserves to pay the severance package for City Administrator Pam Burton, who is stepping down in December.

Charles Elliott and Joe Whatley voted no.

Burton’s contract calls for her to receive six months salary, plus unused vacation and unused sick time, as a severance package when she leaves city employment. The city has been told by multiple attorneys that the contract is binding. Continue reading “Athens Council OKs Budget Adjustment for Burton Severance Package”

Mike Coston to be New President of Athens Chamber

By Michael V. Hannigan

Mike Coston will be the next president of the Athens Chamber of Commerce.

Coston, who was the president of the Kilgore Chamber of Commerce for 12 years, will take over his new duties Aug. 1, according to Chamber Chairman Ashley McKee. He will be replacing Mark Rathe, who resigned in March for family reasons.

“We had more than 10 applicants and in our first round of interviews we were all equally impressed and excited about Mike’s experience and passion for chamber business,” said McKee. “The committee met with Mike on multiple occasions to discuss his vision and goals for Athens. He is very experienced in economic development and plans to work closely with our city, county and business leaders to help Athens reach its highest potential.” Continue reading “Mike Coston to be New President of Athens Chamber”

Lillys Celebrate Grand Reopening in Athens

Kevin and Jeaneane Lilly celebrated the grand reopening of their Athens McDonald’s Wednesday, July 23, with a ribbon cutting by the Athens Chamber of Commerce. Kevin told the crowd the location now includes the most up-to-date equipment and designs in the McDonald’s inventory. On hand to help the Lillys celebrate were members of the Athens Chamber of Commerce, Athens Mayor Jerry Don Vaught, Henderson County Judge Richard Sanders, Athens City Administrator Pam Burton, TVCC head football coach Brad Smiley, TVCC head women’s basketball coach Gerald Ewing, and McDonald’s supervisors Terry Brown, Tracy Wolfe, Vernon Ballin, Rick Meadows, Mary McElroy, Randy Bristol, and Berta Winn.

Athens City Council Continues Debate Over City Administrator Contract

FILE PHOTO: Athens City Administrator Pam Burton, right, prepares for a City Council meeting with City Secretary Pam Watson and City Councilman Monte Montgomery.

By Michael V. Hannigan

Athens City Administrator Pam Burton’s nearly 19-year-old contract with the city has become a point of contention for new members of the City Council.

At issue is a clause in the contract calling for Burton to receive six months salary, plus unused vacation and unused sick time, as a severance package when she leaves city employment. The contract provides for the package whether Burton is fired or decides to leave on her own.

That clause was triggered when, less than a week before this year’s city election in May, Burton announced she would be retiring effective Dec. 31.

In that election, Athens voters removed the incumbents by electing three new members to the council: Charles Elliott, Joe Whatley and Tres Winn.

Elliott and Whatley in particular have been critical of the contract, which is currently estimated to provide Burton with about $239,000 when she retires.

The debate continued this week with the council voting 3-2 to table an item “authorizing budget adjustment from prior year reserves” to pay for the severance package. According to city officials, there is about $2.6 million currently in that fund. Continue reading “Athens City Council Continues Debate Over City Administrator Contract”

Woman Confesses to Killing 4-Year-Old Daughter

Henderson County Sheriff’s Office press release

A 25-year-old Henderson County woman turned herself into police and confessed to killing her 4-year-old daughter, according to a Henderson County Sheriff’s Office press release.

Stacie Marie Parsons walked into the Athens Police Department at around 8:46 a.m. Monday, July 21, and told officers she killed her daughter.

Police went to 413 MLK and found Parson’s deceased daughter with trauma to the head and chest.

Athens police notified the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office because the crime took place off County Road 1500.

Sheriff’s Office investigators responded to the residence and to the location of the crime scene on CR 1500. Pct. 1 Justice of the Peace Randy Daniel was called to the scene.

The child was sent to Southwestern Institute of Forensic Science for an autopsy.

Parsons was arrested for Capital Murder and transported to the Henderson County Jail to await arraignment.

The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Henderson County District Attorney’s Office and the Athens Police Department.