Morven Town Councilman Ben Atkinson resigned abruptly during the council's regular monthly meeting Monday night and immediately left.

The announcement came after a dispute over money raised from an auction for the beautification committee. Members of the committee felt the money, $380, should go in an account controlled by the committee.

However, some members of the town council, including Councilwoman Marjorie Cole and Mayor Carolyn Solomon, felt the money should go into the town's general fund.

"Y'all are worried about $380," Atkinson said. He said he felt like he had been "slapped in the face" for his efforts. He also resigned from his position on the zoning board.

He could not be reached Tuesday for further comment.

Moments beforehand, his wife, Diane Atkinson, resigned from her position on the beautification committee after expressing frustration over the money.

She said she was "tired of the politics."

For reasons that went unsaid, Beth Eddins said she resigned from the zoning board and the beautification committee.

Assistant director of the Board of Elections Steve Adams said he was not sure what the procedure would be to replace Atkinson on the council.

Cole said she spoke to officials with the State Board of Elections and they told her the council did not have the authority to make a recent move to cut the mayor's salary. She moved that the salary be reinstated retroactively and all town council members be paid the same amount.

The motion passed with the approval of Cole and Councilwoman Rhonda Johnson. Councilman Theodore Carr abstained.

After Morven Police Chief Alex Campbell explained recent efforts to crack down on loitering, a citizen objected. Campbell frequently referred to some of the loiterers as "drug dealers."

"All that does is allow you to harass people," Kenneth Simon said. "Not everybody is a drug dealer."

Simon criticized the police for going after low level "kids" and not "the big man" when making drug busts. He said the people who were arrested got the drugs from someone.

A new police officer was introduced to the council. Patrolman Mark Melton began his new job April 20.

"I'm very proud of being a part of this community," Melton said.