letter to the editor
Cain, White at least need to be censured
Two Farragut Aldermen — Alex Cain and David White — violated the Tennessee Open Meetings Act (Sunshine Law) by privately discussing and agreeing on a vote outside of public view. This violation was first disclosed in an Open Letter published by Alderman Cain in the farragutpress on July 23, 2025, and later confirmed by Cain himself during the Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting on July 24, 2025.
This admission has sparked serious concern among residents. The law is clear: deliberations by elected officials must occur in public. The Town has yet to take formal action — aside from comments by Town attorney Tom Hale during the July 24 meeting, reminding officials of their legal obligations under the Act.
We urge media outlets to review the second-to-last paragraph of Alderman Cain’s letter, which references the private agreement to vote in unison. Additionally, the YouTube recording of the July 24 BOMA meeting includes Cain’s verbal confirmation of the conversation with Alderman White. If you rewind approximately five minutes from his remarks, you’ll also hear Mr. Hale’s legal summary regarding the Open Meetings Act and its implications.
As concerned citizens, we are actively considering next steps, including FOIA requests for all communications between the Aldermen and a potential civil complaint in Knox County Chancery Court.
At minimum, we seek a formal resolution of public censure by the Board for both aldermen involved. The next Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting is scheduled on Aug. 14, 2025, and we hope that an agenda item for a censure resolution will be included.
Thank you for your attention to this matter and for helping to ensure transparency and accountability in our local government.
Jay S. Povlin, Farragut
