LONDON, Ky. (WKYT) – Mayor Randall Weddle cancelled a special London city council meeting Wednesday over concerns about violating state open meeting laws due to overcrowding, sparking a heated confrontation in the chambers.
“In the opinion of the city attorney and KLC, we are beyond capacity, and we are required to give adequate seating,” Weddle said.
The cancelled meeting was scheduled to address ordinances on transparency and workers’ pay, according to meeting agendas. The session came after a contentious regularly scheduled meeting on Monday.
Following the mayor’s announcement, verbal disagreements erupted between Weddle and council members. Councilman Judd Weaver challenged the mayor’s decision.
“I appeal your decision,” Weaver said. “The meeting is not in session so you have no power right now,” Weddle said.
The dispute escalated when the mayor and council members began shouting at each other.
“You’re a liar. You have spun this around,” Weaver said. The mayor responded, “You’re a liar Judd. That’s why you lost the election.”
During the chaos, fire alarms activated in the council chambers. Video obtained by WKYT shows fire alarms blaring as council members remained seated while police surrounded them and the city’s fire chief ordered everyone to evacuate.
“Everyone has to get out,” fire officials said as the fire alarms continued to sound.
Weddle said he cancelled the meeting because he did not feel comfortable proceeding.
“At this point, we do not feel comfortable, as the city’s mayor, to be able to hear inside this meeting to proceed,” he said.
Following the incident, Weddle defended the city’s reputation despite the political turmoil.
“Don’t let the politics that you are witnessing judge what you think of London, because this is politics. It is old London fighting the changes,” Weddle said.
The council plans to attempt the meeting again Thursday.
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