Dresden, Tenn.–At a heated session Monday night, the Dresden City Board voted to ban Mayor Jeff Washburn from posting Dresden city information on his Facebook page and to restore the City Of Dresden Facebook page, to be administrated in the future by City Recorder Jennifer Branscum.
The City of Dresden page was taken down awhile ago and Washburn has been reortedly posting city information on his “Weakley Times” page, to which board members objected.
Alderwoman Sandra Klutts said the city’s Facebook page was taken down after it had been reportedly censored by Washburn. Klutts and other members also called for Washburn’s resignation, but no vote was taken on that.
Speaking at length at the meeting, Klutts said Washburn had demolished city properties without proper notice after the tornado damaged and destroyed much of the town in December of 2021. She also accused Washburn of costing the city over $80,000 for architectural drawings for the proposed city complex to replace City Hall, which was destroyed.
Washburn defended his actions in the tornado aftermath. Regarding the Facebook page, he also said he should remind board members that he is the chief executive of the city of Dresden and that aldermen do not have the authority to remove his administrative duties.
Washburn said after the meeting he has no intention of resigning.
Photo: Washburn at right is greeted by Congressman David Kustoff right after the tornado struck Dresden.