COMMENTARY: Pegram breaking vows with voters

Recently we have witnessed the sad spectacle of two political figures, Sen. John Ensign of Nevada and Gov. Mark Sanford of South Carolina, who broke their solemn vows of marriage.

While no one is perfect, vows are serious.

Unfortunately we have seen vows broken by the aldermen in Pegram. They vowed to uphold the law but broke those solemn vows with the illegal ouster of the Pegram mayor.

This is not about petty, frivolous political backbiting — this is breaking a very solemn vow. It is a matter of legal vs. illegal, ethical vs. unethical, and clearly right vs. clearly wrong.

The four Pegram aldermen who did this received a great gift from the District Attorney. However, they owe the citizens of Pegram an apology. Ensign and Sanford both apologized to their families, constituents, and colleagues. It is far past time for Carol Crook, Rick Roark, Daniel Dubois and Gene Evans to formally apologize to the citizens of Pegram for their illegal and unethical actions.

Though they have continued to say their actions were necessary and legal, the facts of the matter clearly show otherwise. Upon the threat of action from the District Attorney, they relented. The laws regarding suspension and ouster of local elected officials are unmistakably clear in Tennessee law, and it is puzzling that the Town Attorney aided and abetted this illegal action instead of stopping it, as is her charge.

Lust is something all of us are susceptible to, if we are not careful. In the cases of the senator and governor, the lust was for a woman other than their wife. Lust can take different forms, such as coveting another’s position, power or stealing power from another.

Lust, combined with insincere praise, is very potent. King David, a man after God's own heart, succumbed to lust and committed a very unethical act. He apologized for his mistake and worked to repair his breach of trust.

In our country we allocate political responsibility and power in a very clear and specific way — the vote of the people. The illegal seizure of power from the duly elected mayor was an ethical lapse, as was the inexplicable complicity of the Town Attorney in this matter. This action was opposite the foundations of our republic and how our country as a government of, by and for the people works.

These blatantly illegal actions have greatly damaged the reputation of our town. Again, no human on earth is without fault; we all make mistakes and have ethical lapses, myself very much included. It's what we do afterwards that either makes us better individuals or not. It is time for the four aldermen of Pegram to acknowledge their ethical lapse in this matter, apologize to the citizens of Pegram, and make a promise to the citizens of Pegram that each alderman will take the time to perform due diligence regarding what is before them and properly, legally, morally, and ethically fulfill his or her responsibilities.

You have another great opportunity to begin the process of restoring this breach of trust you created by apologizing to the citizens of Pegram during the Independence Day celebration. With the hundreds of thousands in the U.S. and millions worldwide who have given their lives for self-government, squandering this opportunity to make amends for your mistakes would be ill advised.

On behalf of the citizens of Pegram, we are look forward to your response.