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Resident alleges political bias in Perry Christmas lighting contest during council public comment
Summary
During public comment at the Dec. 19 Perry City Council meeting, two residents alleged the Christmas Lighting Contest judging was politically motivated and accused a neighbor of removing campaign signs; council did not record a formal response in the minutes.
At the Dec. 19 Perry City Council meeting, resident Joel Crane of West First Street read a letter and said he was upset that his entry did not place in the city's Christmas Lighting Contest. Crane said he believes judging was politically motivated because he displayed an opposition sign for mayor in his yard and said he now fears becoming “a bullseye” and targeted by the City of Perry and its departments.
Another resident, Chris West of North Madison, agreed and said he feels complaints he makes are ignored; West also said he believes a neighbor stole his “Chris West for Mayor” signs. Neither claim was recorded as formally investigated during the meeting and no council response or rebuttal is included in the minutes.
Public comment is the portion of the meeting when residents may bring matters to the council's attention but does not itself constitute a council decision or finding of fact. The council did not indicate in the meeting minutes whether it would follow up on the allegations about contest judging or stolen signs.
