The Upper Cumberland Development District continues to be a thorn in the side of some local officials, and the recent resignation of interim director Earl Carwile has only thrown more fuel on the fire.
The newest controversy at UCDD came  as Carwile announced that he was resigning the position last Thursday.
In a caustic resignation letter to the UCDD Board, Carwile raised concerns over attorney bills, pay raises, and former UCDD grant writer Amanda Mainord.
“In taking responsibility for an agency that has received much negative publicity,” read the letter,  “it should be the intentions of the board to be transparent and provide financial security to an agency that has been so negatively impacted by poor fiscal management. However, in last week's meeting, it is clear that the board has no intention of following through with that will. Instead, a vote was taken to give Amanda Mainord, former UCDD employee, administration dollars for work that she completed while being employed at the Development District, dollars that total $135,000.”
Carwile also mentioned the large attorney bill the agency recently received, and how he has been criticized for authorizing raises.
“A total of $25,000 per year in raises were provided among eight employees for assuming responsibility of those eight that are no longer with the agency, rather than hiring individuals that we could not afford, especially after the exceedingly great lawyer bill that was received upon approval by the board,” Carwile said in the letter. “Where were your concerns when the accrual of a $250,000 lawyer bill was rising?"
Carwile also claims that he knows of two board members who were contacted by a UCDD employee and warned that former director Wendy Askins and former deputy director Larry Webb might be involved in questionable activities, but did nothing.
“It is of importance to point out that two board members were contacted by Michelle Price, with her expressing concern of illegal activities being performed by both Wendy and Larry,” Carwile’s letter read.  “Michelle told the agency's HR manager, as well as other directors, of her concern and was advised to receive legal counseling. According to Mrs. Price, she was told that there was nothing to worry about by those board members. Should these names need to be unveiled, that certainly is not a problem, as she has told numerous individuals on different occasions of these conversations.”
Carwile, who was also the Cumberland Area Investment Corporation director, has served as the agency's interim director since Askins was placed on administrative leave in February while allegations of misappropriation of funds were investigated.
Askins resigned shortly before her leave was up.
"In closing, I want to disclose that it is clear that this board does not have the best interest of the agency's employees or those who are served throughout the Upper Cumberland region in mind when making decisions for future success," Carwile’s resignation further states. "Therefore, I am providing you with notification that I can no longer serve as interim executive director nor will I be striving to see success for the Cumberland Area Investment Corporation, a positive asset that this agency in the past has been able to serve our communities with prior to the devastation generated by another poor decision on the board's behalf to make a loan to Living the Dream without supplying any necessary questions."
Carwile’s resignation came a week before the board's annual meeting, where new officers will be officially announced.
"I have been a faithful employee of UCDD for over 16 years, however, I will not continue to be associated with such an organization," said Carwile in his resignation.