CHINA - By Megan Dillard - Some people who live in China say they're fed up with the mayor and the way she runs the city.
Loaning city money, rude City Hall employees, and a lack of communication were allegations discussed at tonight's Watchdog Committee meeting.
It started with these fliers.
The leader of a group called China Citizens for Responsible Government mailed nearly 800 of these to people who live in China.
It's a list of complaints against the mayor.
"We met with mayor Peggy Harkrider this afternoon and we also spoke with the leader of the concerned citizens group."
Mayor Harkrider says these complaints are stemming from two city council members who are exaggerating the truth.
Ella Leger, the leader of tonight's meeting at the Diner S Cafe, says having two city council members speak up about this helps her argue her case.
One complaint is that the mayor is loaning city funds.
The mayor said she asked the secretary to order a camera and the company sent the wrong one.
Instead of paying the restocking fee, the mayor allowed the secretary to keep the camera for personal use and reimbursed the city after she had the funds to do so.
"I could see nothing wrong with doing that. She bought the camera, she paid for it. She has a receipt that shows that she paid for that camera."
"That is loaning money and that is illegal. Regardless of what the circumstances are, it's public funds and you can't do that."
Another complaint from the watchdog group is a lack of communication from the mayor.
Harkrider vows she has an open door policy.
Leger says that's not the case.
"My biggest gripe with these people is why don't you really try to find out what's happening in city hall, instead of listening to two people that might be inflating the truth. This isn't personally attacking anyone. I know it's hard to be in a position of leadership, but she's not showing leadership. She's working at a level that is unacceptable, and she needs to get right or get out. I know she isn't going to resign, but I would be embarrassed if I was her."
The mayor says her plan of action is to ignore the watchdog group.
Leger says the group will continue to meet in hopes of making changes in China.
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