Mobile County Judge rules in Prichard Mayor favor over terminated chief

Former Police Chief Jimmie Gardner 

On Yesterday Mobile County Presiding Circuit Court Judge Charles Graddick made it official that Jimmie Gardner is no longer employed by the City of Prichard and his termination by Mayor Troy Ephriam was valid.

In a seven page court order issued by Judge Graddick, he cleared up the matter that has been fought by former Police Chief Jimmie Gardner. Judge Graddick ruled that Jimmie Gardner contract expired on November 20, 2012 and his tenure with the City of Prichard is no longer valid.

"We are satisfied," attorney Jerome Carter, who represented the city, said.

Judge Graddick also ordered Jimmie Gardner to turn over all personal property and evidence vault code with 24 hours, something he refused to do when he was officially terminated. City Attorney Jerome Carter said all property has since been turned over.

With all this turmoil over, that should have not been created in the first place. Jerome Carter who represented the city said the mayor will now work to appoint a new police chief. 

There is a witch hunt in Prichard by the group of (5); with a different perspective for the city

On last week there was a standing room crowd only at Prichard City Hall, and on this week it moved to the Courthouse and landed in Judge Charles Garrick courtroom on yesterday. 

There is a looming fight over former Police Chief Jimmie Gardner whom the newly elected mayor Troy Ephriam terminated due to a reasonable fact of law. (His contract had expired.)

For a man that once was the head of the local Mobile County NAACP, and was supposed to been fighting for equal justice and fairness, and even upholding the law, seems to not be abiding or willing to abide by the law himself.

In this battle for the police chief position in the city of Prichard should not be in the court hands in the first place. This is another show of a power grab by a certain group of people or individuals called the (Group of Five), which the city is trying to move away from and create a new image. But there is a fight and it’s all about power and control from the group of five.

Attorney E.J. Saad who is representing the former police chief said Gardner's firing was a "retaliation of bringing an ethics violation against the mayor."

Well it seems that attorneys will say what they clients want them to say, as long as they are getting paid and feel they can win a case. But the question is, whether what they are saying is true or not?

When I write my post I try and bring you facts and truth always. I attended a community meeting last fall a week before the city municipal runoff election for a new mayor, and then Chief Jimmie Gardner was a guest and spoke on behalf of the city and the police the department at Pure Word Church in Eight Mile in Council District 1. Here is what the chief said in quote … “We all know that there is an election coming up, and I don’t know if I will be your chief in the next administration or not, but I do hope so, because we have much to get done for the City of Prichard.”

It seems to me that back then the former police chief new the new mayor if elected, had a choice to pick whom he wanted to serve as his police chief for the City of Prichard.

Let us be informed that the former police chief filed a complaint with the Ethics Commission because his former boss loss an election, and he knew his job was on the line and his contract had not been properly approved by the council for an extension, so he knew if it was a matter of time if he is reappointed. Not only that, Jimmie Gardner also knew that complaints was being filed on him with the Ethics Commission as well for violations of campaign election laws, when he personally used city time and vehicles to install campaign tents for then mayor Ron Davis at his campaign headquarters on Wilson Ave. It don’t amaze me that he wanted to shift the burden and heat off himself and try to drum up some support in his favor.

Drumming up some support wasn’t hard to do, when he already had it. Jimmie Gardner is riding the support of all those former Prichard officials of Mayor Ron Davis administration, Councilwoman Ossa Edwards and former mayoral candidate Severia Campbell Morris, someone who I think is confused. Morris was critical of Gardner leadership and Ron Davis leadership in her reasoning for running for mayor.

On yesterday Ossa Edwards was the only councilwoman to testify on behalf of Gardner and said she supported the five-year agreements – which were presented while Ron Davis, Ephriam's political opponent, was still mayor – because of Gardner's performance.

"He exhibited professionalism, honesty and loyalty," Edwards said. "My belief is if it's not broken, why fix it?" quoted by the Mobile Register or AL.com.

Ossa Edwards it is broken, so it does needs to be fixed, meaning the contract is broken and not correct. I wonder do she needs to even be on the council and not understand the basics of governing and been there for now two terms.

Severia Campbell Morris is being used as the voice for the movement of supporters for Jimmie Gardner. She is organizing community meetings of basically the same people over and over again in different locations around the city. Not only that Severia Campbell Morris wants a recall election, how funny is that? I had to laugh hard on that one.

How can she petition for a recall election and be successful, when she didn’t even get enough support to even get herself in a decent run-off election to even try and lead the city of Prichard, not only that win an election.

Jimmie Gardner still claims he is the chief of Prichard, but with no contract. So I am still wondering myself, how? And you are not legally employed with a contract. And Ephriam attorney verified that on yesterday in court.

"His contract is no longer valid," Carter said about Gardner. "The temporary restraining order remains in effect. It's in the judge's hands. I think the law is clearly on our side."

Carter said a contract voted on by the City Council on Oct. 25 – 11 days before Ephriam was sworn in as mayor -- was invalid because it did not have the approval of four council members. Only three voted in favor of it. It was also a five year agreement, whereas previous agreements were no longer than two years.

The council also voted on Gardner's contract on March 22. Again, that vote did not muster four votes Carter claims is legally required for it to be valid.

More info you should know is, former Mayor Ron Davis tried to give everyone a five year extension for job security and favoritism that was a part of his appointed administration. However he was not successful in doing so. Ron Davis did not want the newly elected mayor to have any possible way to appoint a new administration without having to payout a lot of finances to do so.

Here is my point, there is a witch hunt out for the city of Prichard. If one man can’t control the city then no one should. They are trying to keep a dark cloud over the city, so the city cannot be prosperous. Ron Davis still wants to be the mayor and have a voice, Severia Campbell Morris wants to be the mayor and wants to have control, but she finds herself being used in this evil witch-hunt. Ossa Edwards the former mayor Ron Davis favorite councilwoman, still have a seat on the council and he is the voice for the former mayor and not the citizens of her district on the council.

All of these individuals need to let it go and abide by the law, the same law they wish to and want to represent. I question the character and integrity of Ron Davis, Jimmie Gardner, Severia Campbell Morris and Councilwoman Ossa Edwards, as they continue to fight against what’s right and use lies and false pretense to cover up the truth.

When the people of Prichard spoke, they spoke loud and clear, that they wanted new leadership and a new vision. And now you have it, with the group of (5) heartbroken, upset and picking fights over progress.

Quoted by Al.com from yesterday court session, "We are very disturbed over this whole situation," Severia Campbell Morris, president of the community group, said. "It will be a big issue in this city. It's not going away." It’s not a big issued when it comes to a mayor doing what’s right and abiding by the law. This is another testament of the witch-hunt of the group of (5). 

Citizen files complaint with State Agencies against Mayor Ron Davis and Chief of Police Jimmie Gardner

 What will the story be to this, from those tied to 

Mayor Davis Administration & Campaign?

With a tight election just a few days away the citizens of Prichard is seeking a change for the better, but they seem to be getting the same ole dirty politics as usual. One citizen of Prichard is demanding answers from government agencies that oversee the state laws on campaign election laws and violations. 

Several complaints have been filed with the General Counsel on the State Ethics Commission and the Attorney General Office alleging campaign election law violations by the City of Prichard Police Chief Jimmie Gardner, city employees and the current mayor Ron Davis Campaign, who is currently seeking re-election on Tuesday.

The complaint filed with the State Agencies alleges that a vehicle driven, owned and issued by the city government was parked in front of the campaign headquarters of Ron Davis on Wilson Ave in Prichard, Alabama. Also the complaint alleges that a person seen in the photos provided are those of the Police Chief himself preparing a campaign tent for an event on the rear end of the campaign building and property, wearing blue clothing. 

There are answers that have to be provided not only by Prichard Police Chief but Mayor Ron Davis himself. This is not just a complaint that looks as if someone is just making up to make news, but it looks as though it is facts and someone needs to talk. A citizen that has requested to keep his name anonymous has submitted photos to support his claims alleged in his complaint. In the news release the anonymous citizen states that he seen the Chief at the campaign headquarters preparing the tent and he decided to stop and take a photo for proof to support his claim.

According to state law it is a violation of the State Code of Ethics and Campaign Election laws. No city employee should be assembling any campaign equipment or material for a candidate or in this case the Mayor that is up for re-election.

What is so surprising to all this is Chief Gardner will have to answer to why the city issued vehicle that is issued to him for his use is parked on the property or Ron Davis Campaign headquarters at the time. The tag number is simply the answer to whom the vehicle belongs to, so he can’t argue that he wasn’t there. What lie will this team come up with now, just days before the election?

Pursuant to Section 17-1-4 Code of Alabama, City employees cannot be engaged in political activities while performing the business of the City and on duty. Allegedly, the City of Prichard is financially, strapped and citizens want to know why the City of Prichard’s taxpayers have to pay for on-duty workers doing political work for Mayor Ron Davis, an elected official, whose fiscal accountability has been less than desirable.

Section 17-1-4, Code of Alabama 1975, allows municipal employees the right to participate in municipal elections. To be a candidate, the employee must take an unpaid leave of absence or use personal leave or compensatory time. Employees who violate this provision must be dismissed. Employees may not use public funds or property for political activity. AGO 1993-00108. Supervisors may not coerce employees to campaign. Employees who campaign must do so on their own time.

Chief Gardner was not and is not on unpaid leave of absence or have not used personal leave or compensatory time. The law simply states above that any employee who violate this provision must be dismissed.

Based on Section 17-1-4, this activity is totally illegal and unethical. Someone from the mayor campaign, the mayor office and the city needs to answer to why?

Why is the Mayor and Council races in Prichard so Critical on Oct. 23rd?

With the election for a new mayor and council in Prichard just a over a week away. Many people don’t see or understand the importance of this election and how critical it is for the struggling city and its needs.

The theme of this campaign city wide should be “NO MORE, NO MORE, and NO MORE.” With the ever failing city that’s on the blink of collapse, people seems to be backing up and moving away from change instead of embracing change.  Well to me it hurts so badly, to see how people can go outside of their city and embrace change or the territory that represent as a leader. When you have your own people struggling to survive, its makes me wonder do they really care about their city and its people or the constituents they represent.

What happened to the courage, the fighting spirit and hope that once lived in the lives of our forefathers?  Is that courage, fighting spirit and hope still alive today? It makes you believe that it’s not in so many ways. I’m going to take you through some of those ways today.

I want you to just sit and think for a minute as you read this post wherever you are. Is the City of Prichard where you would like it to be as a city to call home and do business? Is your community the community that you want to call home? Are you receiving the best in quality of life from the City of Prichard? Is the leadership being honest with you in the aspects of City business and affairs?

In the past few weeks I have noticed that very little of our community leaders, pastors, and elected officials that live in and represent the City of Prichard and whom seeks your support when it’s their time, have not come out and said who they support or do they support change that represent the should be campaign theme NO MORE.

It’s time out for playing these crooked politics that ends up in backroom deals and handshakes for political favors and a pat on the back.

Now over the past eight years, honestly so many promises have been made and fewer accomplishments and then you have just poor leadership in place to move the City of Prichard forward. It’s simple the status quo has to go in order to embrace change for the better. It’s year in and year out and campaign after the next where they champion the success of their administrations and actions, however they don’t try to fix the much needed problems within the city, and that makes you wonder why not, or do they even care about its citizens.

There is a problem in Prichard, and it’s not with the citizens it’s with the leadership and those that supposedly be representing the people of this struggling city. The citizens and businesses of Prichard want more and they want better. How can an administration or elected official ask the citizens and businesses to invest in a city that is not investing in itself.

Take a ride through Prichard, and you can look at the city for yourself and know that they the City of Prichard are not getting what it deserves. The infrastructure and image of this city is terrible. I have walked through the districts of this city and have heard complaints from the citizens to know they are not happy and want better themselves. The communities are in bad shape, drainage and sidewalks are fading away and much environmental concerns arise when you see the ditches and waterways in the city and communities. The street lighting and streets needs overdue repairs. The blight of abandon homes is outrageous, and come to find out the City of Prichard Housing Authority owns a majority of them. A couple of elderly citizens complained to me that the City of Prichard want even come out and clean around the houses or fix the abandon properties, which causes a problem for their property and residence. Now is that leadership?

When you take a ride down Wilson Ave, a district that can be the thriving sources for businesses in the City as it once was; you will find yourself on a bumpy ride. That’s how bad the streets are on Wilson Ave and others. So where is the leadership?

But here it is the current mayor Ron Davis and his hand pecked supporters have went around the city to purchase small bill boards that no one else have seem to invest in to advertise on and post up campaign lies to deter the voters or just keep them from the polls as such as the false campaign lies on the green mailers he and his supporters continue to put out.

This the status quo mayor that has made many promises and have delivered on a few, I give him that credit but on the other hand has failed the city that he promise to bring back to life. He lives in a community where a bad environmental odor has taken over, and as mayor has failed to help the citizens until a local Eight Mile Community Citizen Association step forward and seek answers and help. The status quo mayor has sit and watch the water and sewer rates rise over the past (8) years under his watch and has not come out in support of lower rates until the citizens become outraged and nearly voted him out of office in the first of election on September 11^th. Now he is campaigning with lies once again and putting it on his opponent, as if his opponent is the problem.

A once thriving Prichard Business district along Wilson Ave has been torn down instead of rebuilt. Crime and drugs in the city has taken its toile on the city and the citizens are just tired. Look at the former Greer’s shopping center off Hwy 45, that center that could be one of the City most thriving center’s has faded away and the parking lot is just terrible. Now you can’t tell me that is effective and positive leadership.

Last but not least, the mayor has hired and pays the city attorneys more pay than the city employees will ever make. Have the city employees even gotten a raise?  And then don’t forget the retiree’s pension fund. Oh, the money those city attorneys is making off the citizens back, should be going toward the retirees pension fund. The mayor takes credit for solution with allowing the retirees to draw some of their due benefits, but it was Councilman Troy Ephriam that proposed and fought for the retirees to get their needed and due payments that is still underfunded, and on the other hand the current status quo mayor proposed to re-enter the City into bankruptcy because he didn’t want to pay the retirees any payments. Now that’s the truth.

The Mayor has found money to do so many other things that he desire and his friends desire, but could and still can’t find any money to pay the retirees their fair share or make the much needed repairs that the city needs.

But this is the most serious part of this critical election, the question of where are the leaders that wanted to represent you the citizens of Prichard? Where is that leader that is currently representing you in various offices? Is they concerned and care about you and the struggling city that they claim to represent and wanted to represent.

It time and time again that the people elect those that neglect their constituents once they are elected, and start playing that if you are not in my political camp then HELL with you.

Yeah I am talking about that State Representative you elected, State Senator, Council person, and even that County Commission that represents Prichard. They all claim to be working together for the better. They all have not come out publicly to say whom they support or do they support change for the better of Prichard. Um, that’s a serious question in a critical election as this. Those same representatives campaigned year and year on promises of change as well, and that they want a better Prichard.

I even find out that the former mayor Charles Harden has endorsed and is currently supporting Mayor Ron Davis in the run-off election, after he has run for the same seat three times against Ron Davis…lol. Is he serious? He campaigned over the past 8 years that Ron Davis has failed the city. Now all of a sudden he is doing a great job, because Charles Harden may be looking for a job.

Former candidate Teresa Fox Bettis, have not come out to support either candidate to my knowledge after she lost handily. This is another former candidate that campaign to the citizens on change and a better Prichard. But now have gone to the sidelines with a silent voice. What happened to the hope and change?

And the candidate that I once believe was doing a great job and standing up for the citizens, has gone silent and to the sidelines as well. Severia Campbell Morris the candidate that raised so many concerns about the high water and sewer rates and personally said she think the city needs new leadership have found herself in a un-disclosed corner. Was she promised a political favor or scared of the political backlash. I don’t think her supporters are.

Are all of these so called representatives and once want to be leaders who they say they are? Some that I have not mentioned are concerned about their campaigns in the next couple of years. Like the House District 98 race, Senate District 33 race and County Commission District 1 race which all share the city of Prichard. They are afraid of the political backlash and how it will affect their races and endorsements come their next election in 2014. But you remember all of those that are in office now have campaign on change and better of the City of Prichard, because they all believe it’s the crossroads of Mobile County.

You don’t see either of them out publicly endorsing a candidate or embarrassing change. Some have gone all the way to Charlotte to embrace change, when their own city and communities in their own districts are struggling and trying to embrace change and move forward.

Now many question my motive for this posting, however no there is no need to question my motive. Because here it is, it’s simple and to the point. It’s because I care about Prichard and its citizens. I want to see the once thriving city return to where it once stood on positive standings. It’s time out for the lying to citizens and depriving the citizens of their votes and support on false hope. The citizens of Prichard are hurting and they are hungry for change and they have been lied to so many times and their votes have been taken for granted over and over again. The status quo must go.

The citizens of Prichard deserve better and they deserve more. The citizens of Prichard deserve a clean and safe community and community with the best of Quality of Life. The young people of the city deserve more activities and programs to help them advance their lives. The seniors of the city deserve more day programs and activities. The city of Prichard should embrace and support its educational opportunities for the students of the city. Prichard should also be in the business of supporting businesses and not running businesses away. The City of Prichard should be in business of recruiting quality jobs for its citizens and working class families.

This election is critical and the people of Prichard cannot continue to receive poor leadership. This type of leadership has those that desire to vote, not want to cause of they feel it’s not worth casting a vote for the same ole politics and leadership. And we wonder why out voter turnout is low and why our young people want get involved in the political process. What a role model that is.

You take the time and think, is this the Prichard you want to see or do you want to see a better Prichard.  My answer is that, the Status Quo is not going to get a better Prichard.  The NO MORE, NO MORE, and NO MORE have to rise above it all. Hope and Change have to come alive once again at home before it can happen abroad.

Citizens of Prichard don’t be deterred or discouraged, get out to vote on October 23, 2012 for change. 

Voters in Prichard favor Troy Ephraim for Mayor in new poll

The race for Prichard next mayor is on and the voters is pretty firm on who they are supporting to be the next mayor of their struggling city.

Councilman Troy Ephraim 

With the run-off election to be held on October 23, 2012 throughout the City of Prichard, the “POLITICAL BEACON" conducted another poll on the race for mayor to see once again what the voters of Prichard have in mind. We conducted a general poll of 612 likely registered voters in the City of Prichard from September 15-September 28 and we ask the likely voters who is their choice for Mayor of Prichard.

It is a clear choice for the likely registered voters, with the many problems facing the City of Prichard are still fresh on the citizens and voters’ minds, they have not forgotten about the word “Change”. Councilman Troy Ephraim once again lead in the poll, this time by a wider margin.  Here are the results from our most recent poll.

Troy Ephraim - 51%
Ron Davis – 43%
Undecided - 6%

Councilman Troy Ephraim is favored by 51% of the 612 likely registered voters we polled for the upcoming runoff election, with incumbent mayor Ron Davis trailing by 8 points in the most recent poll conducted by the Political Beacon, shows that people are dissatisfied with the current leadership and status quo of the City. However there are 6% percent of those likely voters are still undecided, those voters must vote for one or the other and each candidate must work to court those potential voters.

What will matter the most in this upcoming run-off election is the voter turnout. Each candidate must turnout their respective voters and supporters on October 23rd. Troy Ephraim carry majority of the voters on Election Day September 11th, but not enough to avoid a runoff with Ron Davis.

Mayor Ron Davis 

The Political Beacon conducted a similar poll of 327 likely registered voters back in August before the regular scheduled election of August 28^th, before it was canceled due to the potential threat of Hurricane Isaac. In that poll it showed a tight race with Ephraim edging out Davis by 2% percent.  

This round of voting is the final say in the race for Prichard next mayor. No more runoffs winner takes all. So if this election means anything to you then you as a voter in Prichard need to make your way to polls on Election Day.

We also ask the 612 likely voters which of the following issues matters to you the most in this election.

Water & Sewer Rates:   26%
Jobs:   12%
Infrastructure:   22%
Crime:    23%
Economic Development:   16%
Other:    1%

High water and sewer rates and crime has been plaguing the City of Prichard for quite some time now and it’s the number one concern on the likely voters mind at 26%, and Crime came in second with 23% and Infrastructure taking its place with a tight 3^rd.

We also asked the likely voters, has the candidates done enough to put forth their plan on lowering water and sewer rates in the City?

Yes – 34%
No - 59%
Somewhat – 7%

Both candidates have just a few more weeks to make their case to the voters on why he should be the next Mayor of Prichard. It is very important for all voters and citizens in the City of Prichard be active and exercise your right to vote, because it indeed matters.

The polls will open on October 23, 2012 from 7am -7pm. You are more than welcome to call the city hall for your respective polling precinct.

Troy Ephriam edges out Ron Davis for Prichard mayor; A run-off needed

Councilman Troy Ephriam 

Political Beacon pre-election poll was right 

Who will lead Prichard for the next four years? That’s the question that’s now on the minds of many. With a low voter turnout in Prichard, I thought with many people wanting change would have shown up at the polls in larger numbers. Maybe the change in the scheduled date caused the low voter turnout...who knows.

But at the end of the day, a frontrunner clearly emerged in the race to become Prichard next mayor for the next four years in Troy Ephriam. Ephriam serves on the City Council and has served as Council President.

Ephriam edged out Davis, 1,437 votes to 971 leaving the other three candidates with a decision to make, in whom they should throw their support behind. All of those candidates that are not in the run-off should be considering that move as you read this post. Because it is important on who becomes Prichard next mayor, all of those candidates promoted change for the better. So it will be interesting to see who they support moving forward.

Back in August, the Political Beacon conducted my own polling for the election of mayor in Prichard, and the results showed a close race between Ephriam and Davis. Ephriam was leading in a tight race with 28 percent to Davis 26 percent, however I had Harden in third place according to results. In Tuesday election Campbell-Morris managed to get more of her supporters to the polls to come in third place. Harden came in fourth place and Teresa Fox Bettis finish last as the results showed in my pre-election poll.

With Ephriam receiving the amount of support he did yesterday at the polls, and he lead in all precincts clearly shows that the people is hungry for change.

It bother me to see the mayor do an interview on TV last night and claim that the people are demanding change now and that it is impossible. He also quoted that it takes time. It’s been eight years Mayor Davis, and in those eight years nothing has been produced for Prichard that’s productive besides FedEx, but the shame ole politics that got Prichard into this current mess. Eight years is enough time to make needed improvements much more could have been done for the city and its residents. Change doesn’t happen overnight, but the attempt does.

Mayor Ron Davis 

The people of Prichard want lower waters bills, jobs, businesses, and more tax revenue to support the city. Everything is growing around Prichard including Chickasaw, Saraland and Mobile. With Airbus coming to Mobile the neighboring city, the City of Prichard has a prime opportunity to take advantage of development and jobs in the city.

Reducing the debt in Prichard, paying the bills on time, cleaning the communities, clearing blighted properties, repairing and building infrastructure, recruiting new businesses and jobs will help the city of Prichard. A plan for progress for the next five years has to be put in place and the people of Prichard will need to rally between their new elected officials to bring change. They too must hold them accountable every step of the way.

Some city council races are headed to a run-off election as well.

There will be a runoff in District 1 between Lorenzo Martin and Herman Towner, in District 2 between Earline Martin-Harris and Gwen Williams, in District 3 between Derrick Griffin and Alberta Young, and in District 4 between Donnell Hunter and either Michael Cooley or George McCall, pending provisional ballots.

Ossia Edwards defeated her two opponents in District 5, to keep her seat on the Prichard city council.

A run-off election will be held in the City of Prichard, Tuesday, October 9, 2012 from 7am-7pm.