Red Boiling Springs Councilman John Cook has taken legal action against the city of Red Boiling Springs.

The legal action stems from events that occurred at the Red Boiling Springs City Council meeting on Thursday night, Nov. 12, at City Hall.

At the end of that regularly-scheduled meeting, a motion was carried to remove Cook as vice-mayor. A motion was then carried to make Willie Brown, another councilman, vice- mayor.

Cook, who was not at the meeting, remains a councilman.

Reached for comment the day after the meeting, Friday, Nov. 13, Cook questioned the legality of Thursday night’s proceedings.

“I was elected by the people to help change Red Boiling Springs and have this city operate in the sunshine,” Cook told the Times. “Certain folks are now taking desperate, illegal measures against me to prevent the light from shining in on them but it just won’t work and the people will win in the end.”

Cook filed legal action Monday morning, Nov. 16.

During the City Council meeting on Thursday night, the motion to remove Cook as vice mayor and the motion to make Councilman Willie Brown vice mayor both carried with 4-0 votes, including Mayor Kenneth Hollis’ vote.

Councilmen present were Brown, Steve Newberry and Billy Joe Carver.

Both motions were carried at the very end of the meeting, which started at 7 p.m. and ended 22 minutes later.

After all items on the agenda had been discussed, Hollis asked if there was any other business anybody would like to discuss. Carver spoke up.

“I hate to do this when he’s not here,” Carver said, “but I make a motion to remove John Cook as vice mayor.”

Newberry quickly seconded the motion.

“Now I make a motion to give it to Willie Brown,” Carver said.

Newberry quickly seconded the motion.

From the time Carver first spoke up until the meeting was adjourned was little more than two minutes.