Hamlet City Council rescinds Planning Board appointment of Escamillo Latimer after allegations of intimidation

The Hamlet City Council voted unanimously to rescind the appointment of Escamillo Latimer to the city Planning Board after council members described a pattern of conduct they said created an unsafe environment for staff and senior-center patrons.

Council member Clueless presented a detailed timeline of incidents, saying, “Based on documented reports, court orders, staff statements, and recorded incidents, Mister Latimer’s conduct demonstrates repeated behavior that employees have perceived as intimidating and creating an unsafe environment.” The timeline included an alleged June 14 incident at a Hamlet Senior Center AARP meeting, reports of threatening calls, an alleged unauthorized entry into an employee-only area and a no-contact order served in September.

Latimer disputed parts of the account in a lengthy statement to the council, saying he left the AARP meeting when asked and that timing in some staff statements was incorrect. “I have never gone to any work area that I wasn't allowed to go into,” Latimer said, and he told the council he was on pain medication and in the hospital at one alleged phone-call time. He told the council he had obtained video and phone records he said supported his version of some events.

After Latimer’s remarks, council members debated the evidence in open session. One member said staff would not fabricate fear for their safety; another said the timing of the proceeding did not show an intent to influence an election. The council chair pressed members to focus on whether cause for removal existed under the standards outlined at the start of the meeting.

A council member moved “that we rescind Mister Latimer’s appointment based on his conduct in the recent months.” The motion was seconded by Council member Clueless. After the vote, the presiding official said it was unanimous and that the removal was effective immediately.

The council framed the action as an administrative personnel decision, not a criminal finding. Council members cited the city’s earlier no-contact order and a Richmond County emergency no-contact order obtained to protect employees as part of their consideration. The city attorney and city manager had previously been involved in advising council on staff-safety measures, according to remarks made during the meeting.

The proceeding closed with a motion to adjourn, which the council approved.

What happens next: The council removed Mr. Latimer from his Planning Board seat effective immediately; the meeting record does not set out further administrative steps (for example, whether the council will seek replacement or reopen the appointment).