TELLICO PLAINS-Is it a valid complaint if you're actually breaking the law? Should the punishment be the same for all incidents?

A discussion about fines for citations led to audience members airing complaints about the Tellico Plains Police Department. Mayor Patrick Hawkins and board members have received numerous calls from people complaining about questionable tickets and citations written by police officers.

"We're getting a bad reputation," said Hawkins. "It's starting to have an impact on our local economy."

Hawkins said he had been notified that two people on Mecca Pike now go to Etowah to get groceries because they are afraid to drive to town, and hold their breath hoping they won't get pulled over.

In the past two months, citations have increased in Tellico Plains significantly. Hawkins said there were 37 citations written in July and 46 in August.

"It just seems like there's been a dramatic increase in the past few months," Hawkins explained, noting that he has addressed Police Chief Tonia Norwood three times about the issue.

See full story in the Sunday, Sept. 9, edition of The Advocate & Democrat.