A recent batch

of criticism has left Tyrone's town leaders fighting mad.

During last

week's council meeting, Mayor Sheryl Lee took an unusual step of reading

a statement to address some of the town's critics.

The town has

come under criticism in The Citizen for not defying a judge's order to

discuss the town's recent mediation efforts on tax equity issues. Lee

also came under fire in the paper last week from a letter writer in a

conflict-of-interest charge. Lee works for Fayette County and the letter

writer said it appeared that a conflict arose when she voted on the county

and cities' jail agreement.

"There

have been questions concerning some of our actions and integrity, but

the citizens know what we stand for," Lee said.

The mayor said

she and the City Council have lived in the town for more than 100 combined

years, and they are the most accessible city government in the area.

She also dismissed

claims the town was "developer friendly."

"We have

held fast to the land use plan, which has resulted in us being sued by

developers," she said.

Lee said her

position as a county employee sometimes puts her in uncomfortable positions,

but said anytime that any discussion has to be done with the county, Councilman

Ronnie Cannon represents her.

"There

are just a lot of gross misstatements of facts," she said.

Cannon also

let loose on the town's critics.

"I really

don't care what they think," he said.

Cannon caught

flak in recent letters to The Citizen for his portrayal of County Commission

Chairman Greg Dunn as a liar.

"Some

people have said I've disgraced the town. If I could tell you how these

mediation talks went, you would see how the town is disgraced," he

said.

Cannon said

the Tyrone Town Council has always stood for open government, and "I

work my tail off" for all the citizens.

He added the

council "hung tough" on the jail agreement and is always looking

after the best interests of the town.