Tempers flare at Leland Town Hall, meeting ends abruptly

LELAND, NC (WWAY) — A Leland town hall meeting abruptly ended today (Monday) with attendees shouting at city leaders.

Angry residents yelled at city leaders ending the gathering just 15 minutes after it began.

The residents were upset with the council because it wouldn’t allow council member Frank Pendleton to address the gathering.

Pendleton claims town manager David Hollis is delaying the delivery of a town-owned laptop, a purchase he claims was approved by the town council.

“I requested …it had to come from a vote from the council laptop computer from the Town manager originally and told me he wasn’t going to give it had to come from a vote from the council…The question has to be asked are they trying to delay the laptop until we get past the budget season,” said Pendleton.

In a series of emails obtained by WWAY News, Hollis clearly informs Pendleton he won’t get the laptop for a January 15th council meeting saying quote “it’s being ordered.  I will let you know when it’s delivered, setup with appropriate software and ready for you.”

A subsequent email from the town’s tech officer informs Pendleton that the delivery time for this model is 13 plus weeks.