by AnnGardner Eubank
KILMARNOCK—Don Lee has resigned from the Kilmarnock Town Council after a business owner in town said Lee publicly slandered and defamed the character of himself, his wife, their businesses and the town attorney.
Mayor Mae Umphlett announced during council’s January 24 meeting that Lee had submitted his resignation letter effective immediately on January 18.
The resignation comes after David Dew of Horsely Real Estate wrote a letter of complaint on January 2 referring to statements publicly posted to Facebook by Lee on December 31.
According to Dew, he is the owner of seven commercial properties in Kilmarnock and part owner of Isabell K. Horsely Real Estate with his wife, pays taxes and water/sewer bills for each property and employs a number of people through his businesses.
In the letter sent by Dew, he explained that he had participated in the latest Town “Refresh” Grant program and had shared a photo of himself with the mayor holding the check posted on the Town of Kilmarnock’s Facebook page. With his letter, Dew submitted screenshots of comments posted by Lee.
The screenshots showed a string of comments made by Lee including, ”Wow, another big check for the realtors….
