Centreville mayor arrested for alleged threat

[AlabamaBrightBlueDot]

Centreville mayor arrested for alleged threat
By Stephanie Taylor Staff Writer
Published: Thursday, September 4, 2008 at 3:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, September 3, 2008 at 11:56 p.m.
http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20080904/NEWS/809030184&tc=email_newsletter


Centreville's mayor was arrested Wednesday after a heated argument at the town's council meeting Tuesday night.

Mayor Dalton Murphy turned himself in Wednesday afternoon after warrants were issued charging him with harassment and disorderly conduct .

Councilwoman Linda Renn-Pierce said Murphy threatened to burn a cross in her yard after an argument about three city workers he fired earlier this summer resurfaced.

The mayor fired three black city workers, claiming that they did not water plants in the town square, she said. Renn-Pierce, who is white, said publicly that she felt the firings were racially motivated. The council later rehired the workers.

Murphy's wife addressed the council at the conclusion of their monthly meeting Tuesday night, claiming that the council members portrayed her husband unfairly.

'He said ‘I know you were the one who said the firings were racial,' ' Renn-Pierce said. 'I said ‘Yes, I haven't made a secret of that. You always talk about how you have to get to your Klan meeting, and you constantly refer to blacks using the ‘N' word.' '

He said 'Have you ever heard me use the ‘N' word?' I have heard him say that for the two years I've been on the council so I said yes. He said ‘Well, maybe you need a cross burned in your yard.' ''

~snip~

[Syrinx]

1. Ben (or maybe Tommy) has an editorial

I'll just quote the last 'graph.

Murphy, however, should not return to his post if he did, indeed, use the Klan imagery that Renn-Pierce alleged. His term legally ends in November but if the allegation is true, he already has forfeited the moral mantle of leadership.

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20080905/NEWS/809040285/1012/opinion&title=_Klan__comment_should_cost_mayor_his_job_if_accurate