DECATUR, Ala. (WHNT) — Just two speakers into the public comment session at Monday’s regular city council meeting, Decatur City Mayor Tab Bowling, citing mostly non-productive comments, decided that he had heard enough and excused himself from the meeting.
Bowling read a brief statement that included the postponement of the police officer discipline appeal hearings that were scheduled to begin next week. Those hearings were set for each of the four officers disciplined for the Sept. 29 shooting death of Steve Perkins.
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During that statement, the mayor addressed how the public comments, mainly directed toward him, have been counterproductive as tensions continue to be high at city council meetings.
“While the public comments initially provided a valuable avenue for community expression, it has become evident the many comments are no longer constructive,” Bowling read. “Regrettably, some have resorted to baseless accusations and threats directed towards me, my family, city council members and others in the city.”