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Graddick ruled that Jimmie Gardner contract expired on November 20, 2012 and his tenure with the City of Prichard is no longer valid.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). 

Prichard Mayor has a choice

A standing room crowd fills the council chambers for the Prichard City Council meeting this past Thursday, and none of the visitors and citizens attending the meeting was there for any other business but info on former Police Chief Jimmie Gardner termination.

Former Chief Jimmie Gardner

Former Police Chief Jimmie Gardner was terminated because his contract had expired and an extension was not approved by the City Council in October. However many in the city like the former mayor Ron Davis, his supporters and his former defeated rival Severia Campbell Morris is spear heading an attack on the newly elected mayor Troy Ephraim about Gardner termination. But it is no surprise the former Mayor Ron Davis will be in support of Gardner whom he hired as police chief during his administration.

A statement by Mayor Troy Ephraim stands out in this matter, "The citizens asked for a new direction for the city of Prichard," Ephriam said. "That's exactly what (the mayor's office is doing)."

By now regardless how the former Police Chief tries and decided to argue his termination and drum up support in his favor, the law stands and the citizens made a choice. In this previous election, I can’t recall that Jimmie Gardner was on the ballot for mayor.

Mayor Ephraim is right, the citizens of Prichard has made a choice and ask for a new direction when they elected Troy Ephraim as mayor by overwhelming margin.

In the midst of all this is Severia Campbell Morris a former candidate for mayor, she is a big supporter of Jimmie Gardner now that she has been defeated for mayor.  Not only does she support Jimmie Gardner, but she also now a big support of the former mayor Ron Davis. I now question the motives of Severia Campbell Morris, was she really running for mayor to make a change for the people of Prichard, are was she running just to capture votes to help Ron Davis. There is something very strange about Severia Campbell Morris.

I interviewed Severia Campbell Morris for a post here on the Political Beacon last fall when she was a candidate for mayor, some of those answers I did not post but I will post today to inform you on why I question her leadership and character.

Severia Campbell Morris is now the voice of the so-called movement that is supporting the former police chief of Prichard, and organizing the same people from her non-profit citizens group and people of Ron Davis camp to attack the mayor.

Severia Campbell-Morris now a resident of Prichard whom moved back here from Illinois has really came back here to stir up flames that she can’t put out.  

I recall last fall when I interview the former mayoral candidate, I asked her did she approve of the leadership of the current Police Chief and the Police Department. Campbell -Morris stated that she did not and that if she was elected mayor she would seek to overhaul the police department and possibly hire a new police chief, because she believes the City was headed in the wrong direction same as the mayor office.

Mayor Ron Davis did everything he could to try and keep Jimmie Gardner in the position. Regardless of the decision that was made by terminating Gardner, the newly Elected Mayor has the right to choose whom he pleases to represent the city and serve in his administration.

There is a lot that goes on that these crooked politicians do that they don’t want you the citizens and voters to know about. Maybe they think you just would look over it and pay it no attention and forget about it.

The council did not vote on Ephriam's termination order. A court hearing into whether Ephriam requires the City Council's endorsement of that move will be held at 8:30 a.m. Monday at the Mobile County courthouse downtown. A judge upheld a restraining order against Jimmie Gardner.

Once again the people of Prichard has spoken and new leadership should take place.

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?