TEGA CAY--One of the leaders of "Us Against the WAL" could step down this week.

Teri Ackerman could relinquish her post as spokeswoman of the Wal-Mart opposition group in favor of a Tega Cay resident. Ackerman lives off Dam Road, outside the city limits of Tega Cay.

"Us Against the WAL" members were expected to discuss the potential change at an organizational meeting Wednesday night. Ackerman and fellow member Roberta Whitaker said the group is considering several names, but they would not disclose them before the group's meeting.

The possible leadership change, Whitaker said, is mainly designed to counter critics who say the proposed Wal-Mart in Stonecrest, a future 120-acre development along Hwy. 160 West, is a Tega Cay issue, not a Fort Mill one.

Ackerman wouldn't discuss the possible change any further, saying she didn't want to comment publicly before the group had a chance to talk about it and make a decision. Ackerman did say she would have no problem stepping aside if the group wanted to choose another spokesperson.

Neither Ackerman nor Whitaker would say whether the possible switch is a reaction to Ackerman's being escorted out of the Wal-Mart meeting by police last Thursday.

That meeting at Fort Mill High School drew hundreds of people, 43 of whom addressed the Tega Cay City Council about whether to annex and rezone 15 additional acres needed to build a Wal-Mart in Stonecrest.

Of those who spoke, 38 were Tega Cay residents - 20 of whom opposed Wal-Mart. The meeting drew loud shouts and jeers, especially when Ackerman was escorted outside.

Since then, "Us Against the WAL" has been the target of criticism from some Wal-Mart supporters.

Tega Cay officials accused Ackerman of planning the confrontation for political gain.

"There is no question that it was a staged event," said Tega Cay Mayor Bob Runde.

City Code Enforcement Officer John Dervay said he overheard Ackerman and Rand Ruland, who gave the "Us Against the WAL" presentation after Ackerman was thrown out, congratulating each other after the meeting.

"He said something to the effect of, 'We did it, it happened like we planned,'" Dervay said.

Ackerman denies the accusation.

"I congratulated [Ruland] on the presentation because I could hear the cheers from outside," Ackerman said. "Dervay heard incorrectly. The issue is not whether this was planned or not - which it wasn't - it is about Wal-Mart."

Some Tega Cay residents who had been at the meeting said they were shocked at the behavior of the Wal-Mart opponents.

Former Tega Cay Councilwoman Kitty Updike, who favors the proposed Wal-Mart, said, "I thought the 'Us Against the WAL' people were very rude on their cat calls and remarks that kept up during the Wal-Mart presentation and [City Manager Grant Duffield's] presentation, especially while we were very courteous to let them speak."

Barbie Staples, who works at Tega Cay City Hall, said the group's behavior is changing her mind in favor of the Wal-Mart.

But Ackerman and Whitaker say what was appalling was the behavior of Runde, who was in charge of the meeting.

Runde repeatedly gaveled down Ackerman, saying she could not speak because her name wasn't on the agenda.

"Why did it matter who it was that was speaking?" Ackerman asked. "We had 15 minutes - why did they care who spoke for those 15 minutes?"

When Ackerman kept talking and refused to leave, Runde asked a nearby police officer to escort Ackerman out.

Ackerman said she thought the meeting's format was unfair to begin with. Wal-Mart had 45 minutes to speak, while the opponents' group had only 15 minutes. And none of the speakers from Wal-Mart were listed on the agenda, either.

In addition, people who lived in Tega Cay were allowed to speak before any nonresidents could.

Ackerman said she doesn't think the city council is listening to both sides, and she wants residents to voice their opinions via a non-binding referendum.

Ackerman could have signed up to speak like everyone else Thursday night, Runde said. He also said that the city council was not obligated to give "Us Against the WAL" members any time at all, but he thought it was a good idea to let them present their case.