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Residents criticize Levy Court member’s social-media posts; commissioner defends First Amendment rights
Summary
A series of public commenters at the Kent County Levy Court meeting criticized remarks by Commissioner Jody Sweeney on social media; Sweeney defended his posts as protected free speech and said his political commentary is his personal view, not an official Levy Court position. No formal censure or disciplinary action was taken at the meeting.
Multiple residents used Tuesday’s public-comment period to challenge social-media posts by Commissioner Jody Sweeney, saying the comments were divisive and put constituents at risk; the commissioner responded that his posts were made in a private capacity and defended them under the First Amendment.
Speakers at the meeting accused the commissioner of inflammatory language and urged the Levy Court to act. Kim Petters, who identified herself as a constituent of Commissioner Sweeney, said she had been targeted on social media and expressed concern for her personal safety after online posts. "When someone identifies as Antifa, this is what they're saying they're part of. And this, it's violent," Petters said, expressing worry about violent reactions to political rhetoric.
Other residents called Sweeney’s remarks inappropriate for an elected official. Kim Lewton told the Levy Court, "There is no evidence that any of the individuals tagged in Mr. Sweeney's post are right wing conservatives or white nationalists, as he claimed. We must lower the rhetoric of stereotyping on all sides." Jesse Flynn, identifying himself as a Navy veteran, said the comments “crossed the line professionally” and urged colleagues to consider censure.
Commissioner Sweeney responded at length during the meeting. He framed his remarks as private political commentary protected by the First Amendment and apologized to the Levy Court "for dragging them into this social media debate and debacle on national issues." Sweeney said he had received threats after prior contentious interactions and defended his right to “say outrageous things,” adding that his service to the Fifth District would continue.
Levy Court did not take a formal disciplinary action or vote during Tuesday’s meeting. Vice President Robert Scott read a statement reminding attendees that an individual commissioner’s remarks in a personal capacity do not represent the views of the Levy Court as a whole; other commissioners and members of the public called for respectful discourse.
Ending: The meeting ended without a formal censure or complaint resolution; county staff said earlier that complaints had been received and were being investigated, and that no official action was taken on Tuesday.
