Eclectic resident calls for mayor’s resignation during city council meeting, alleges misconduct
ECLECTIC, Ala. (WSFA) - A routine Eclectic City Council meeting took a contentious turn Monday night after a resident publicly called for Mayor Guy Sanders to resign, accusing him of misconduct and abuse of power.
During the meeting, resident Pete Stewart addressed the council, alleging Sanders had mistreated employees, used his position for personal financial gain and should step down from office.
Stewart, who recently moved to the Eclectic area, said he decided to speak during the public comment portion of the meeting after hearing concerns from community members.
“Over the past few months, we’ve had allegations toward the mayor’s conduct,” Stewart told WSFA 12 News after the meeting. “That’s what I wanted to bring up tonight.”
Stewart also claimed he has audio recordings that support some of his allegations. After the meeting, he shared one recording with WSFA 12 News, claiming it features Sanders making threatening remarks during a conversation involving a city employee. WSFA has not independently verified the recording or the identity of the speaker heard in the audio.
Stewart said he believes residents are afraid to speak publicly because they fear retaliation.
“One lady stepped up to me and thanked me for standing up to the mayor because she couldn’t because she knows the retaliation that he’ll do to her,” Stewart said. “What kind of town is that to live in?”
He also questioned personnel decisions within city government and accused Sanders of using his office to benefit his personal business interests. Stewart did not provide documentation supporting those allegations during his interview with WSFA.
When asked what he hopes happens next, Stewart said he believes Sanders should leave office.
“I’m hoping they can transparently see that the community is more important than money,” Stewart said. “This is a resignation. Point blank.”
Mayor Guy Sanders disputed the allegations when speaking with WSFA 12 News following the meeting.
“I thought we had a pretty good meeting,” Sanders said. “You’re going to always have some citizens that don’t agree with everything we do or don’t do, and that comes with the territory. You can’t please everybody.”
When asked specifically about Stewart’s allegations that he threatened employees, Sanders said he did not know what Stewart was referring to.
“I don’t have a clue what it’s about or not about,” Sanders said. “I’m not sure what his beef is.”
Much of Monday night’s meeting focused on city business, including a proposal to increase Eclectic’s monthly flat water rate. Sanders said the additional revenue would help the city replace aging water infrastructure, including water lines that are estimated to be 60 to 70 years old.
The mayor said the city currently charges a lower flat water rate than many surrounding communities but faces an estimated $2.3 million cost to replace outdated lead and copper water lines with newer materials.
WSFA 12 News also reached out to the Alabama Ethics Commission regarding Stewart’s claims. As of publication, the commission has not confirmed whether an investigation involving Sanders is underway.
WSFA 12 News will continue to follow this story as more information becomes available.
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