There are already major conflicts brewing in East Point between the mayor and the city council.
Now the community is getting involved -- and it may be packing heat.
East Point City Councilman Lance Rhodes has filed a complaint with the East Point Police Department in what is being described as a terroristic threat against him.
The threat occurred during the heated Oct. 4 city council meeting when Juanita Crater addressed the council. In his narrative to the East Point Police Department, Rhodes said Crater made a comment to him saying, “If you come over to my neighborhood and knock on my neighbor’s door, she might shoot you.”
On Oct. 5, Rhodes had a phone conversation with Crater and asked who she was referring to at the council meeting. According to the police report, Crater said he didn’t have to worry because the people were moving out of the neighborhood.
“While I understand the need to take this type of threat seriously, I can not allow this type of threat to prevent me from fulfilling my responsibilities to the community. I intend to continue my door-to-door visitations within the community. This includes Ms. Crater’s community (Colonial Hills),” Rhodes said.
Rhodes also denied that he had asked for police protection as he conducted his visits in the neighborhoods this past weekend.
The issue surfaced again during Monday night’s city council meeting. Crater again rose to address the council.
“I was angry, but no I didn’t threaten his life. I did say keep out of the neighborhood or she might shoot you, but probably in the foot,” Crater said.
She added the “pistol packing mama” who issued the threat had left the neighborhood, which brought some levity to the situation.
Rhodes said the threat is a result of a hostile work condition created by Mayor Earnestine Pittman and the city council by not conducting the meeting according to the rules stipulated in the city’s charter.
The threat is just the latest incident in a heated discussion over how the city should spend its money.
Residents balked when the city agreed to purchase an old Wachovia building for $900,000 on October 4 as part of a new government center.
Resident Isabel Jeffares summed up many of the residents’ frustrations.
“This council has lost control. Show us something for our money and get out of our pockets,” she said.
About the Author
The Latest
Featured
