That includes councilmembers Judd Weaver, Kelly Smith Greene, Anthony Ortega and Justin Young. Members Jim Baker and Donna Gail Wilson House attended the meeting.
The council tried impeaching Mayor Randall Weddle on charges of misconduct and negligence, but a judge’s ruling reinstated Weddle to the position last week. The council has filed to appeal.
Weddle says he still allowed public comment to take place.
“I told the city attorney that I was going to let the individuals that were on the agenda speak,” he said. “Part of that mission was to de-escalate the situation that's happening here, because people need to be heard.”
Much of the public comment period centered around the use of a racial slur by councilmember Justin Young, which surfaced as part of a domestic violence case against him. Weddle says he thinks Young should resign.
“I said it last night in the meeting that we are held to a higher standard, and the moment I alienate, or I set off a section of people and I begin to use racial slurs against them, I should no longer be holding this office,” Weddle said.
Court documents allege Young shoved his girlfriend, Crystal Hoskins, into a wooden beam during an incident in May, and smashed her cell phone during an incident in July.
Hoskins herself has also been accused of hitting Young in the face and arm during an argument, breaking his phone and biting him in the arm.
Young has not immediately responded to a request for comment from WEKU. In a statement posted on social media, Young admitted to using a slur and said he deeply regrets it.
“At that time, I was dealing with overwhelming emotions of anger and betrayal after learning that the woman I was in a relationship with had been unfaithful. In that moment, I said something I should have never have said. There is no excuse. My words were wrong, and I deeply regret them,” the statement reads.
A pretrial conference for the case is scheduled for Oct. 14.
