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Public commenters press council on Steve Perkins case, firefighter Kevin Jackson’s demotion and alleged workplace discrimination
Summary
Several residents used public comment to press the council about the Steve Perkins matter, call for broader reviews of city departments, and urge reversal of firefighter Kevin Jackson’s demotion; commenters provided demographic statistics and described long-term impacts on employees and families.
Multiple residents used the public comment period to raise concerns about the Steve Perkins matter, alleged misconduct by city employees, and what they described as discrimination in city departments.
Byron Echols (resident) opened with a wide-ranging statement linking national security concerns and local leadership, and provided his social media handles. "My my YouTube channel is Juniper Tree and Beyond. It's all 1 word, no spaces," Echols said. Several commenters then focused on the Steve Perkins case and on personnel issues within city departments.
A commenter identified as Sarah said the community has sought justice for Steve Perkins and urged the council to examine other city departments, including human resources and the fire department, for problems the commenter said have persisted. "In our fight for justice for Steve, no matter what's been said or done, it has all been worth it," she said. Sarah also cited city demographic figures and raised concerns about employee demographics, saying the city's population is roughly 57% white, 30% Black and 13% Hispanic, while city employees are roughly 78% white, 17% Black and 5% Hispanic.
Ashley, who identified herself as the spouse of firefighter Kevin Jackson, described her husband's demotion and extended administrative assignment following an anonymous complaint. She said Jackson was placed on administrative duty in April of the previous year after an anonymous tip; she cited a positive performance review given two months before the complaint and said several other employees had been disciplined for policy violations without being demoted. "He has been on administrative duty since April of last year," Ashley said, and described financial and emotional impacts on her family. During her remarks, a city official, identified in the transcript as Mister Landner, interrupted to note the matter is pending in the Circuit Court of Morgan County and advised speakers to avoid testimony that could affect the pending litigation.
Commenters called on the council to appoint a police chief promptly, to investigate departmental problems beyond the police department, and to improve diversity and representation in appointments and boards. The transcript records personal testimony and allegations; none of the public comments led to immediate council action recorded in the work session transcript.
