HomeMy WebLinkAboutHighlights2022-12-07Called City Commission Meeting Highlights
Wednesday, December 7, 2022, at 5 p.m. at City Hall
To view the entire meeting visit bLps: l lyoutu. bel D3RZ.7vBIF6o.
After meeting for more than two hours in closed session as permitted by KRS 61.810(1)(o for issues which might lead to the
discipline or dismissal of a member i.e. City Commissioner, the Paducah Board of Commissioners returned to open session,
and Mayor George Bray read the following statement:
On November 8, 2022, City employees removed political signs from City -owned property that were in violation of the City's
sign ordinance. Some of the removed signs were advertising an African-American candidate for City Commissioner.
Subsequent thereto, Commissioner David Guess sent a series of texts messages to a City employee wherein Commissioner
Guess made the statements: "You got dujan [sic] under control" and "Whitey keeping a black man down." See text exchange
below.
The Board of Commissioners believes that any sort of language with racial overtones such as this has no place in our society
or with this Commission. Minority Inclusion has been a Commission Priority for the past 2 years and all City Commissioners
attended Diversity, Equity and Inclusion training. In addition, the City worked with citizens to establish the Paducah Diversity
Advocacy Board.
The Board of Commissioners is weighing its options with respect to Commissioner Guess, including removal procedures
under KRS 83A.040(9) or some form of public censure. The Board will take up the issue at its next meeting on Thursday,
December 15, 2022, at 4:00 PM CST.
Communications Manager Pam Spencer
City of Paducah • P.O. Box 2267 • Paducah, Kentucky 42002
Phone: 270-444-8669 Website: htti2://i2aducahk-�T.gov Email pspencerntiaducahk� gov
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David
Nesseige
You got dujan under
control
Whitey keeping a black
man down
Sorry. It just came out. I
haven't said one thing
this whole election or any
day that I'm alive
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FISHER
Communications Manager Pam Spencer
City of Paducah • P.O. Box 2267 • Paducah, Kentucky 42002
Phone: 270-444-8669 Website: htti2://i2aducahk-�T.gov Email pspencerntiaducahk� gov