During a recent city council meeting, residents voiced serious concerns regarding alleged corruption within the Department of Neighborhoods and its impact on disaster recovery efforts. One resident, Art Smith, detailed his struggles following a tornado that damaged his home, which has left him and his wife temporarily living in a hotel. He accused city officials of mishandling his property case and claimed that misinformation from city employees has delayed necessary repairs and FEMA assistance.

Smith expressed frustration over what he described as a lack of accountability within the Department of Neighborhoods, stating that he has repeatedly raised these issues in front of city officials, including former Mayor Turner and current Mayor Whitmire. He alleged that city employees have lied about his interactions with them and have obstructed the recovery process by citing outdated issues related to his property.

His wife, Coffee L. Bay, echoed his sentiments, highlighting that the city had returned approximately $45 million in unused housing funds to the state, which she believes could have been utilized for recovery efforts. She criticized the negligence of city employees and the apparent indifference of council members to the concerns raised by residents.

Both residents called for a thorough investigation into the Department of Neighborhoods, urging the city to address what they perceive as systemic corruption and incompetence that is hindering recovery efforts for those affected by natural disasters. The meeting underscored the ongoing challenges faced by residents in navigating city bureaucracy, particularly in the wake of emergencies.