Former Mayor Blasts City Over Taco Bell Purchase

The much-discussed purchase of Taco Bell received one more airing at Monday night's city council meeting.

Former Mayor R.C. Jones blasted city officials for their handling of the purchase, which occurred on Dec. 8. Jones did not criticize the purchase per se, which was for approximately $230,000. Rather, he was upset with the perceived lack of transparency and he demanded that the city council not repeat the practice of making a purchase on anything that was not discussed in open session.

City officials have indicated that the property, located at 116 N. Main St., is integral to the development of City Center.

Jones, who served two separate stints as mayor, did not mention any council members or officials by name.

Two members of the present council, Larry Goodson and Scott Crosby, had not yet taken office when the purchase went through. And Dennis Raines, who did not attend Monday's meeting due to illness, had not yet been sworn in as mayor.

Jones' admonishing apparently had an effect. Before the city council went into executive session on Monday, council member Dale Black said half-jokingly, "Nothing will be purchaed in executive session."*

* - CORRECTION - This quote was erroneously attributed to R.C. Jones in the original version of this story.