Sneads council meeting erupts
Floridan Correspondent
Published: September 30, 2009
Updated: October 5, 2009
Tempers flared as a last-minute addition to Snead’s special meeting Tuesday night almost had the city’s police chief turning in his keys.
Near the end of the meeting, council president Mike Weeks read a letter from the Florida League of Cities suggesting the council put McAlpin on administrative leave with pay, because of an ongoing Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation regarding McAlpin.
“What is the urgency of this? I don’t get this, where this is coming from? This comes as a shock to me,” Chief John “Burt” McAlpin said.
On Sept. 15, FDLE conducted a probable cause hearing into allegations of official misconduct by McAlpin in his investigation of a sexual molestation case. In January 2008, the governor directed FDLE to investigate McAlpin for allegedly attempting in January 2007 to get a victim to recant her allegations of sexual molestation against a suspect.
The suspect was allegedly a friend of McAlpin.
The complaint also said that McAlpin allegedly made conflicting statements when asked about the case. No criminal charges were filed, but McAlpin is still under investigation on administrative charges of witness tampering, and perjury not in an official proceeding.
McAlpin became angry when the matter was brought up during the public meeting Tuesday, believing the matter was still confidential.
“I don’t appreciate it being aired. The town attorney knows that this is a confidential matter. The town manger knows this is a confidential matter. You as the council president should know that this is a confidential matter,” McAlpin said.
The city attorney Guy Green agreed it was not public record.
“You shouldn’t be bringing this up,” Green said.
However, FDLE had released the proceeding to the public; the charges and initial investigation are public record.
Weeks said it did not matter, since he was not bringing up the details of the legal proceeding, just the suggestion of the League of Cities. Under the proposed administrative action, McAlpin would hand in his keys, badge and car. He would not act in any official capacity and would not be allowed at the police department until the case was concluded.
“I have a town to take care of here. Who is going to lead my men?” McAlpin said.
When Weeks made the suggestion, members of the crowd, which had come to support the Landing Bar and Grille that was discussed earlier, became loud, voicing opposition and saying the police chief was the best one the city had.
Many members of the audience called for town manager’s Ed Kilpatrick’s resignation.
McAlpin became even more enraged when Kilpatrick pointed out the legal matter was public record. McAlpin left the meeting to get a document which said it was confidential.
“I have done no wrong. I have had wrongs done to me,” McAlpin said.
Kilpatrick left the meeting to get his documentation, and then sat in the audience, away from the table where he had been sitting next to McAlpin.
After McAlpin showed the letter to the council members, Kilpatrick asked to address the council. McAlpin and Kilpatrick began to yell loudly at each other. Weeks and Green told both of the men to calm down.
“We have to have cooperation between you two,” Weeks said.
Kilpatrick replied that was not possible.
“The situation with Chief McAlpin has created a hostile work environment. This situation cannot continue. His behavior has been unprofessional,” Kilpatrick said. “I am asking you to help. If you can’t help me with this, maybe I don’t need to be working here.“
However, the other council members did not want act until the administrative case against McAlpin had been concluded.
“I withhold judgement,” council member Greg Lewis said.
Instead, the council hastily adjourned the meeting without taking any action.
“I think the council is making a serious mistake,” Kilpatrick said of the council’s decision to take no action.
Advertisement
Reader Reactions
Well, patriot, just wanted you to know I had a great week-end at the Cape. Beautiful weather, not many touristas, and caught a few nice fish.
By the way, I see you’re no better at the name-guessing game than you were, LOL. But keep at it, just try not to over-stress that pea brain.
As for me, I think I’m outa here. Not getting anything accomplished except wasting time and making a little money for the Floridan, and we’re not getting a dime of it. It’ll all come out in the wash anyway. Adios muchachos !
Just like has happened in the past with some other jurisdictions in our county, now Sneads is under fire. I truly understand now how so many in this county find it their business to get into others, whether it is needed or not. There are some simple rules of logic here that has been brought up..but so many just instead want to attack…and for what..no really good reason at all except they may have too much time on their hands and are not using their lives for the better of our communities. Here are some simple logical ideas. 1)Whatever the issue that Burt may have with the FDLE…let the process deal with that…everyone else stay out of the way. 2)Whatever issue you may have with any council member or commissioner in our county…then get off your couch, be involved, and if you truly think you can do better…then try to get elected. When you finally get into office you will then see what you are up against running a government agency. Until then, and until I see you all start showing up for meetings consistently and not for personal gain or control but to make your community better, then you truly have no room to complain. 3) Spouting all the attacks on council members and staff of the city’s and county is of no good…it actually does nothing but to show what character you have in yourself…you truly want to make a difference in your community…see #2. I will also answer these questions because of the posts that I have read…I am not am employee of the city…nor related to any individual currently working for the city or council. Too bad our society has a severe lacking in logic now. Yes, everyone of us has the right to express ourselves as Americans. Its too bad though we have lost some basic realities…respect, honor, responsibility…these too are required by all of us…too many men and women dies for that right…its a shame too many Americans choose to not be responsible, choose to not be respectful, and choose to not have honor…in the name of being an American. So before you all continue to post, ask yourself first if you or your family name/member were caught up in the Floridans article…how would you feel about all these same individuals, most who dont have an honest clue about you and your life, spout the things that have been written on this website.
wow, ya know all of this still answers nothing. No solution has been provided except some quitter wants to just shut the city down and let the county take it over. duh? Where are the real solutions? I love Sneads. Sneads needs to change some things. Sneads needs to leave some things the way they are. I dont live inside the city limits but you better bet that I along with a few other people are there trying to offer our support, suggestions, and general help where and when we can for the overall good of the city. With the 4 or 5 people that usually show up to the boring mundane meetings because it is our civic duty it shouldn’t be hard to figure out who I am. So with that I know who most of you are I challenge you to two things. Make your next post without slander, malice, hatred, being vicious, and offer a solution to 1 problem without firing or hanging someone to get it done. do you know how long it take to get done what Burt and Ed have gotten done? The connections, the training, the building of trust? do Burt and Ed hate each other? It sure seems so to me but that is between them, it can be water under the bridge in 2 years, leave it be. Do we need a change in leadership at the council level? maybe? I wouldn’t vote for many that have posted here though. Maybe the council needs to change the way they consider things. (they actually do) So there you have it. (1) Take emotion out of just one post and offer a solution to a problem we have in Sneads (2) dont fire, hang, slander anyone in the process. If you can do that you will part of a solution and not a part of the problem.
My second thought to this post is that the Floridan owes some of you a great deal of money for keeping people coming to this website. People everywhere are talking about it. Send them a bill for your time.
Bodann, I just find you to be the funniest thing. LOL ha, ha, ha LOL. Seriously I just wanted to wish you a delightful weekend. What are you and bob gonna do? I’ll bet he is gonna take you to a nice dead tree out in the forest and let you climb under the bark and eat until your little slug belly is full. As for your inquiry as to my identity. Well brace yourself…... No im not an employee of the town of Sneads at all. I could not work for or with Ed, mike and that Cook lady at city hall. However you and I do know each other. Hmmm. LOL ha ha LOL. That is why it was so easy to figure you out. That, and your other half making his special appearance. Anyway, I really just wanted to wish you a nice dinner of mulch, decaying wood and fungus. Oh yeah, thanks for keeping the soil aerated and loose it really makes my grass look great. LOSER
All of this talk makes me sick to my stomach. I have no clue why I come and read this garbage. Irony is a B and I hate it. While I would love to get on here and tell all I know too, I won’t. It’s not my place. The bottom line is it all depends on who you know or who you are in Sneads when it comes to EVERYTHING. Two people from different sides of the track can do the same thing and one gets a slap on the wrist and the other goes to prison. There are good sides and bad sides to everyone and obviously you who have seen nothing but the “angelic” sides of these people you speak of haven’t seen the other AND vice versa. I just wish cops would make an example out of themselves, rather than try to use someone else to set an example.
this is so ridiculous. Bodann you said everyone supporting burt is nothing but vindictive, well look at some of your and other’s comments. They’re very vindictive of a man who spends everyday serving others. i have never known a man with any more integrity than Burt McAlpin. This town has been blessed to be able to have him as Chief. And I have never heard anything but support and praises come from his men. I think Sneads has a wonderful group of officers and its a shame the disrespect they’re getting. You can’t argue with people who think they’r right but they will have to answer for it one day.
Well, eastjcpatriot, a.k.a. “pootrot”,(I like that name, LOL) might you be Burt, or one of his “men” whom he apparently has to “lead” constantly, as I think abc123 probably is ? How did y’all feel when he made that comment ? (Been so much name-guessing I just had to try it out too). If so, I guess y’all have to do a certain amount of butt-kissing to keep your job.
Anyway,I really hate to leave “good company” but I’ll be out of here for awhile. Gonna go enjoy the week-end, it’s beautiful out there.
Burt McAlpin is one of the most honorable men I’ve ever known. It seems to me that Mr. Kilpatrick must have a personal issue with him.
I agree that he has been the best police chief I’ve ever seen in Sneads. I am certain that FDLE will clear him of his charges.
I worked in Jackson County Law Enforcement for a long time and closely with Chief McAlpin. He’s the best backup one could ask for and you’d better believe if he said it, it was true.
It’s only slander if it’s not true. And fedup didn’t say who they were referring to. No slander there little salamander.
Boodyann, I am certainly not a worshiper of any man. Nor am I “mean-spirited, vindictive people who want everyone who disagrees with them to either be hung or shot.“ I have not made any comment about hurting anyone so let’s not twist words to help your twisted little plot. Contrary to what you may believe, causing others to be miserable will not make your life any better. You are correct about wasting your time though.
My dear fedup32460, you are indeed a miserable guesser. You are way off track! I am not this “Ashley” person of whom you speak. You better watch out as this “Ashley” may decide to file a slander suit against you. Obviously, you have no clue as to who I really am, (you may want to investigate some of your close “buddies”, some may not be such good friends as you think). Aren’t you familiar with the saying, “Keep your friends close, keep your enemies closer.“? I’m really getting a kick out of stirring you up! Oh, and by the way, I specifically stated in my last post that abc123 must have a negative perception of teenage girls. Not only are you iliterate, you also need to learn how to spell, at the least. I have a suggestion for you, why don’t you get all your friends together and have another benefit fish fry, proceeds given to your hero, he will probably need some help paying for his defense. You may need some of the proceeds yourself for your slander suit if you’re not careful.
Advertisement