TEGA CAY-- Us Against the Wal, the group opposed to including a Wal-Mart in the future Stonecrest development, presented the City Council Monday with the results of a petition is has been circulating door to door since late August.

After spokeswoman Hope McBride handed out copies to council members and cited the group's findings - 611 people against the plan, 184 people for it, and 101 people undecided - a contentious debate dominated the public comment segment of the council meeting.

Several Us Against the Wal members got up to criticize the Wal-Mart plan and urge the council to consider opposing the proposed supercenter in the 122-acre Stonecrest development, a mixed-use development off Dam Road and Hwy. 160 West.

The council has yet to vote on the annexation needed in Stonecrest, which would make room for the supercenter.

Mayor Bob Runde and council members listened to the group's comments and accepted the petition results the group gave them.

However, after it was suggested that Runde was less than forthcoming with the public over the Wal-Mart proposal, the mayor became irate.

Referring to a comment about him in a private e-mail that became public, Runde said, "I don't lie!"

Addressing Roberta Whitaker, a Tega Cay resident who Runde described as a longtime friend, he told her, "Do not let Wal-Mart destroy our friendship."

Whitaker, who said she forwarded the e-mail with the Runde reference "by mistake," told him "if [the information in the e-mail] is wrong, then I'm sorry."

He replied, "Thank you."

Earlier Monday, council members met behind closed doors with Wal-Mart representatives to discuss the 14 conditions the city wants the retailer to meet before the council will consider approxing the annexation.

Runde said nothing was decided after theclosed-door meeting, and talks will continue.