The Columbus City Council voted Tuesday to reprimand Columbus Mayor Robert Smith and Ward 5 Councilman Kabir Karriem for a physical altercation between the two last week.
Ward 3 Councilman Charlie Box, who made the motion for the reprimand, expressed his disappointment in Smith and Karriem, both of whom agreed to drop misdemeanor simple assault charges levied against each other.
“I am saddened and concerned by recent events,” Box said, referring to the fight at City Hall Thursday. “In my opinion, there is just no place for this type of activity from an elected official. The damage that has been done to this city by this event and the negative publicity surrounding it will never be known and may be hard to ever repair. As city officials, we must hold ourselves accountable to a higher standard than the street thugs who solve their disagreements with knives, guns and fists.
“Often we will disagree with one another, but just because I take a different position or vote opposite you does not mean that I am against you personally or that I am disrespecting you,” he continued. “If we do disagree, we must settle these issues with civility, not with our fists.”
Karriem was treated and released from Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle late Thursday night and signed an affidavit against Smith on Friday; the mayor signed an affidavit against Karriem on Monday.
Both men turned themselves in on the days the charges were filed and each was released on a $250 bond.
Smith and Karriem issued public apologies Monday.
Residents deserve “good, clean, civil and above-board government, without hostility and bitterness,” Box noted.
“If any of us cannot do this, then we should resign right now,” he added.
Box also submitted, for consideration by the mayor and council, a code of ethics for elected and appointed officials; the code likely will be presented for approval at the next council meeting.
“Many in our city have called me and other councilmen and are demanding that this City Council take some action against the ones involved in this fiasco,” Box said, motioning the council reprimand to Smith and Karriem. “Let me say that under the law, the council has absolutely no authority to take any meaningful action in this matter, short of a verbal reprimand or sanction. These are elected officials and, if anything is to be done, then it must come from those who elected them, the voters.
“Because I believe that the action is deplorable and wrong, and because we have disciplined other city employees for lesser offenses, at this time I will ask the City Council to issue a verbal reprimand for these men,” he added.
The council voted 3 to 2 to issue the reprimand; Ward 1 Councilman Gene Taylor, noting he was concerned about reprimanding them with the “investigation ongoing,” and Ward 4 Councilman Fred Stewart voted against the motion. Box, Ward 2 Councilman Joseph Mickens and Vice Mayor and Ward 6 Councilman Bill Gavin voted to reprimand Karriem and Smith.
“I apologize to the citizens of Columbus, especially the people of Ward 5, for my actions,” Karriem said, noting he was willing to drop the charges against Smith and “move forward.” “This was a very disappointing moment for me.”
Smith agreed to drop the charges against Karriem, but told Karriem, “You and I need to talk tomorrow.”
“We will,” Karriem assured Smith.
“I don”t expect it to ever occur again, while I”m in serving,” Smith told the council”s audience of about 60 people, many of whom applauded when the two agreed to drop the charges. “Councilman Karriem and I need to sit down and talk.”
In other matters, the council:
n Approved a final resolution to apply for a $500,000 capital improvements loan to help fund the city”s $850,000 share of a joint city-county project to renovate neighborhood parks.
The council, in March, issued preliminary approval to apply for the loan, which will fund the construction of two 5,000-square-foot community centers and construction of a 5,000-square-foot open-air basketball pavilion.
The city still has to borrow $350,000 from other sources to complete its share of funding the renovation project; the county also has committed to spending $850,000.
The council voted 5 to 1 to approve the application; Box voted against the motion to approve.
n Voted to participate in the state”s second annual sales tax holiday, July 30, during which shoppers will not be required to pay the state”s sales tax on back-to-school and work-related items, such as school clothes and supplies.
“I think this is good for the city of Columbus,” said Gavin.
n Voted to spend $18,500 to purchase new software for Columbus-Lowndes County E911 operations.
The initial cost of the new software — $36,000 — will be split by the city and county; the remaining balance of the software — with a total cost of between $110,000 and $141,000 — will be split between the city and county and paid over the next three years.
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