Waxhaw leaders strip mayor with troubled past of some duties

WAXHAW, N.C. — A mayor with a troubled past has now been removed from some of her duties.
 
Waxhaw's elected officials called a special meeting Tuesday night about Mayor Duane Gardner.

The meeting was quick and so was the decision but Gardner said it means nothing.
 
Gardner tried to push back.
 
But the state Ethics Commission said she was being fined for failure to file paperwork on time in her role on the Charlotte Regional Transportation planning organization

The town's Board of Commissioners voted to remove her from the role.
 
It's the latest setback for a mayor who's faced previous controversy and questions about her ability.
 
"In this position, you need to take care of things and it just wasn't taken care of," said Mayor Pro Tem Michael Stewart
 
Gardner said it's wasted time and that it was unwarranted.
 
"I'm as perplexed as anyone," Gardner said. "I filed some paperwork late… like I said, we all have."

She said she doesn't think the board has the authority to remove her from the role so it doesn't change anything.

"We did what we feel was right in removing her from that body and if someone tells us we can't then we will abide by that, but we run this council and not her," Stewart said.

In January, Gardner pleaded guilty to driving drunk.

Town officials also investigated spending on her town-issued credit card used to buy alcohol and other unauthorized purchases.

They've since changed their travel and credit card policy.

Waxhaw leaders strip mayor of some duties

WSOC