<< Back 5/8/02 Denton refutes secret meetings accusation SMN County Board Chairman Jay Denton took the opportunity during his chairman’s report to respond to recent letters to the editor in the Smoky Mountain News (April 24, page 12) and Sylva Herald from Qualla Community Development Council chairman Robert Franz. In the letters, Franz alleged he was left in the dark regarding various EDC meetings and the availability of public documents. He accused EDC Chairman Tom McClure of withholding information from him while a polluting industry ordinance was being written. Denton said research revealed that EDC and the county failed to notify Franz, in writing, of one meeting. However, Franz was verbally notified of that meeting, said Denton. Denton said it was unfair of Franz to imply the county was trying to hold meetings in secret, and he said flatly that it “was not done.”