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Entertainer disputes city's refusal to rent facilities after offensive Facebook post; mayor says words have consequences
Summary
Local entertainer Randy Glenn told the council he was effectively barred from city facilities after an advertisement he posted drew complaints; Mayor Davis called the post offensive and said the city is postponing his ability to use city facilities while reaffirming the city's right to refuse rentals.
Randy Glenn, a 73-year-old local entertainer, told the Columbiana City Council during public comment that he has effectively been barred from performing in city facilities after a Facebook post advertising a "Black Friday" themed event drew complaints.
Glenn said he had not seen a formal complaint and asserted he had a right to know the identity of anyone who filed a complaint against him. “I haven't seen the first complaint,” he said, and added that he has worked as an entertainer for decades and had never before been told he could not play at city facilities.
Mayor Davis responded that the Facebook post was offensive and that the city reserves the right to refuse facility rentals to those whose statements the city deems contrary to its inclusivity policy. “Your Facebook post was offensive,” Davis said, emphasizing that the words posted were Glenn’s own and that “words have consequences.” She characterized the city action as postponing his opportunity to play at city facilities while encouraging anyone who wished to see the post to read it.
Council members and other speakers expressed concern about the implications of labeling someone a racist and cautioned that such labels can have serious consequences. A resident who spoke in Glenn’s defense urged caution, noting the impact such a label can have on employment and reputation.
Council described its decision as an administrative determination about facility rentals, not a criminal finding, and said it is within the city’s right to deny rental of its venues. The council did not record a formal vote to suspend services; the transcript records a council decision to postpone the entertainer’s use of city facilities pending further action.
Glenn said he was sorry if anyone was offended but also denied malicious intent. The council encouraged anyone with concerns to come forward and offered to read the post offline if requested. No additional disciplinary actions were recorded in the meeting minutes.
