The state's youngest mayor has returned a new pickup truck to a local auto dealership and now says accepting the vehicle was a mistake.
Muskogee Mayor John Tyler Hammons, 19, returned the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado to Lake Country Chevrolet and Cadillac on Wednesday.
Hammons received the vehicle as a prelude to going to work for the dealership. The mayoral position is an unpaid post.
However, he decided to give the truck back after an allegation surfaced that he told the dealership to disregard city codes preventing the parking of vehicles on a grassy strip near the business. Hammons denied he ever provided such advice.
Still, he said the acceptance of the vehicle could create the appearance of impropriety.
"It was a mistake in judgment on my part — I should have done a little bit of research," Hammons said. "I agree it could be seen that way, yes. I make the pledge to the people of Muskogee I will be better."
Hammons said he has now decided not to go to work for the dealership.
Before he could return the truck, he got in a traffic accident. It was rear-ended by another vehicle Tuesday night while he was at the wheel.
City Attorney Frank Medearis said he found nothing illegal about Hammons driving the vehicle. City code prohibits city officials from accepting gifts or services from any entity that directly or indirectly does business with the city.
"Lake Country Chevrolet does not do business with the city of Muskogee," Medearis said.
A freshman at the University of Oklahoma, Hammons received national attention in May when he was elected mayor of the 38,000-person city made famous in Merle Haggard's "Okie from Muskogee."
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.
