SPRING CITY, Tenn. — Spring City Mayor Mary Sue Garrison said today that city officials have decided not to appeal a lawsuit brought against the city by a former commissioner.

“The city’s decision not to appeal is in the best interest of wise use of taxpayer’s dollars,” Mrs. Garrison said in a statement released today.

Commissioner Jeff “Bimbo” Rhear sued the city two years ago when he was ousted by commissioners after being accused of harassing employees at a local Hardee’s. A few weeks later, during a meeting with town and restaurant officials, he was accused of cursing at employees.

He sued the town in Sept. 2007 and two weeks ago Circuit Court Judge Thomas “Rusty” Graham ruled Rhear had a constitutional right of free speech and was not acting as a commissioner at the time of the incidents. He ordered the town to restore Mr. Rhear back to his commissioner post.

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