Margaret Mayor's Spending Under Fire

0:00This is Cory. Here, with your quick two-minute update from Birmingham News today. In the small town of Margaret, Alabama, residents are clashing with their new mayor over spending. A group called Margaret Concerned Citizens claims mayor Matthew Torteris has spent $2.5 million since taking office in November. Without City Council approval, their demanding financial records through an open records request and hinting at a possible lawsuit. The group held a press conference this week right before a City Council meeting to air their grievances publicly. Their attorney, air-cudjans, stress the need for transparency and accountability from city leaders. Residents say they're in the dark about where the money's going and just one basic openness like checking your own household finances. Mayor Torteris pushes back, explaining that a big chunk covers over half a million dollars in bills approved by the previous administration. Council members back the residents stating they haven't greenlit any invoices or purchases since the mayor started. Specific spending includes pay raises for police officers

1:03and the chief plus three new police vehicles budgeted at $120,000. Tensions run deeper with firings like that of a long-time assistant fire chief who called it unfair. The mayor won't detail personnel matters but says he's probing potential federal crimes by former officials reaching out to the FBI state attorney. General and others while working with auditors on the records. Support for this DNN episode comes from our sponsor. A pillow that plays your podcasts, music, or white noise privately. No earbuds required. S-O-L-I-SOLYPILLOW.COM