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?

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.