Latest news with #TheSentinel-Echo
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Altercation between council member, fire chief ensues following council meeting
Ongoing communication struggles between London City Council members and city employees resulted in a heated confrontation between a council member and the London Fire Chief following the council's Monday, May 5 meeting. London Police body camera footage of the conversation has been circulating, having been posted to the "I Support Randall Weddle" Facebook page. The video has quickly gained attention, with just over 100,000 views at this time. Mayor Weddle told The Sentinel-Echo that the footage was released through an open records request. According to Councilperson Kelly Greene, the verbal altercation took place when London Fire Chief Donnie Hale approached her. She said she then asked him to step aside with her, away from others at the London Community Center to "get out of their way." The footage initially posted begins with Greene telling Hale that Mayor Weddle will eventually "be gone" and "won't be here forever." She later clarified that this was not a threat, but rather, she was referring to his term as mayor. "Well, I've got his back. He's my boss," Hale responded. "If somebody else was in the same situation, I'd have their back." "Hey, I didn't tell you not to have his back. I told you to stay out of politics. Stay out of politics. Do your job and stay out of politics." "I do my job." "That doesn't mean you can't have the mayor's back; he is your boss." "That's exactly right, he's my boss and I'm going to do it." As the altercation continues, Greene reiterates that Hale became involved in politics when he "should've done his job." "Are you saying I'm not doing my job?" "Well, I wonder about it." The altercation comes to an end once the unknown officer filming and London Tourism Chair Phil Smith step in to de-escalate the situation. Among the items on the meeting's agenda was a "fire department discussion," during which Greene posed questions regarding the London City Fire Department's pursuit of a certificate of need (CON) for critical care services. Weddle said the CON request comes following uncertainty surrounding the city's mutual aid agreement. According to Greene, her and Chief Hale's argument stemmed from Hale's concern that the majority of council members had not responded to his emails questioning the fire department agenda item. "I did not know who the council person was that put me on the agenda until she was called upon to ask questions," Hale told The Sentinel-Echo. Greene commented that she has been "pretty disappointed" in Hale since he participated in "rallies that the mayor held outside the council chambers, cheering him on before [last year's] election about not voting for some of the council members." She cited such involvement in politics as why she opted out of responding to Hale. At Monday's meeting, Greene inquired about the $50,000 already spent on medical equipment, application fees, and legal counsel — noting that the expenses accrued without the council's approval. She also stated that the fire department had joined a union — the union number being 5534. After Greene finished sharing her concerns, including how this CON could impact Ambulance Inc. of Laurel County, she asked Chief Hale: "Do you want to answer to any of this, or I can go on?" Mayor Weddle agreed to answer, stating that it is not the city's intention to "put anybody out of business." He also said the city is not seeking to operate an ambulance service but rather to enhance responses by providing critical care support before ambulance crews arrive. "If you're having a heart attack or stroke, I suggest that you look at the response times [of] the ambulance service and then our city fire department," Weddle stated. "These things matter." Councilperson Anthony Ortega inquired if Saint Joseph London had made any reports indicating that "the ambulance service is lacking." "I think that there is a spreadsheet of things between the two entities that has been given to us showing that there is a need," Weddle responded. Chief Hale chimed in that Councilperson Stacy Benge had seen the department's "guys in work," recalling that they had saved a man's life at a restaurant. "I don't want this to become political because it seems like it has," Weddle said after. "This is only about our guys who love this community trying to respond." Councilperson Greene went on to ask how many people would need to be hired. Mayor Weddle clarified that no new hires are necessary. As the discussion progressed, Councilperson Judd Weaver asked if prescription medication was being administered. Weddle and Hale both told him "no." Hale said there had been access to a medical director until the mutual aid agreement ceased. "What did we administer before?" Weaver asked. Chief Hale nodded his head, stating, "If you all had answered your emails today and let me prepare for this just a little bit more, I could've had some more answers." "I answered," said Benge. Chief Hale would later clarify that Ortega had responded directly, whereas Benge responded through the city clerk. Mayor Weddle was not aware of the altercation between Greene and Hale until the following day. When asked what he thought sparked the heated conversation, Weddle commented, "Frustrations that department heads have tried to engage via email with a few council members and they refuse to ask questions or address concerns they have except on the camera." "Trying to embarrass department heads with false information is the biggest problem," Weddle continued. "Heads try to communicate with them but they try to spin everything to get at me. Some on this council will not stop until they have me out of office." Greene issued an apology to London residents regarding the recent controversy. "I'm sorry to the public that sometimes these meetings seem to get out of hand," Greene stated. "My actions are just because of my love for London and my years of experience." In light of recent events, Mayor Weddle encourages residents to not allow the negativity to define London. "Remember this is a beautiful city that is moving forward. Great things are happening in London and we need to stay focused on the positivity," Weddle stated. "We were elected to serve the people of London my hope as a government we can get back to that."
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Yahoo
Harless family retains law firm for potential lawsuit
The family of Doug Harless, a man who was shot and killed by a London Police officer during an attempt to execute search warrant, has obtained legal counsel to represent them in a civil lawsuit. Attorneys Nicholas Horne and Ashley Abaray of Thomas Law Offices in Louisville, Kentucky, will represent the family. After reaching out to Abaray and Horne Monday, The Sentinel-Echo was redirected to the communications firm RebuttalPR. RebuttalPR Director Hannah Gallagher informed The Sentinel-Echo Tuesday morning that the firm has 'to pause on media for now on this case.' Gallagher said this decision is due to trying to get the case on file. The officer-involved shooting occurred Dec. 23, 2024, at an incorrect address, causing uproar among the community. Consequently, a 'Justice for Doug' Facebook page was created and multiple events have been held in honor of the shooting victim. Nikki Lawson, Harless' daughter, recently gave comment on the incident through Gallagher's firm. 'This was a completely preventable tragedy and has left my family heartbroken,' Lawson stated. 'My dad, Doug, was one of the hardest-working people I knew, always putting his family and friends first. He loved watching NASCAR, listening to music, and cracking jokes that made everyone laugh. We miss him every single day.' Kentucky State Police Post 11 continues to investigate the incident. KSP Trooper Scottie Pennington commented that he is unsure when the case will be presented to a grand jury. 'No family should have to endure this kind of loss and we want to hold the police accountable for their reckless error. As we grieve, we ask for privacy to mourn and remember Doug,' Lawson stated. The Harless family's civil lawsuit was not yet filed at press time Tuesday afternoon.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Recent city council meeting sparks petition to remove council members
An online petition created by a London resident to demand removal of four London City Council members for 'unjust conduct' has garnered over 560 signatures as of press time Tuesday afternoon. Community member Vanessa Miller created the petition following the Feb. 3 city council meeting. The meeting, where arguments between council members and community members ensued, resulted in the removal of two speakers. 'I bore witness to their overt hostility and poor representation of our beloved city, London,' Miller wrote in the description. 'These actions don't merely cast a dark shadow over that particular meeting; they spotlight a significant and recurring problem. We find ourselves questioning the integrity of our local administrative body, concerned about an unjust and non-transparent council whose motives seem to extend beyond the welfare of its citizens.' The petition calls for the removal of council members Kelly Smith-Greene, Anthony Ortega, Judd Weaver, and Justin Young. The list excludes council members Stacy Benge and Holly Little. Miller declined comment to The Sentinel-Echo, saying that she would reach out 'if something changes.' 'We do not want to comment on this item at the current time,' Miller said of herself and a fellow unnamed contributor. The council members are aware of Miller's petition, some giving comment. 'Nothing would ever come of it, I do know that, because it just doesn't work that way,' Young commented, noting concerns that not all of the signers are actual London residents. Ortega made a similar statement, commenting, 'I don't think that that's even how it works.' 'I understand the public's frustration and outrage with the council. Our meetings have devolved into a public spectacle,' said Little. 'I hope moving forward we will maintain a decorum fitting of the office.' Council Member Kelly Greene declined comment. Attempts to contact council members Stacy Benge and Judd Weaver were unsuccessful at press time. 'We do not have, in Kentucky, a recall election petition. Some other states do but Kentucky is not one,' City Attorney Larry Bryson confirmed. However, Bryson shared that the petition could have evidentiary value in a hearing. He continued that, in order for council members to be removed, at least one of the following must occur: — Someone bringing charges against council members in the case of misconduct or willful neglect of their duties — An ethics complaint being brought before the Ethics Board — A complaint being made to the Kentucky Attorney General's office, resulting in an ouster proceeding KRS 83A.040 (9) states, 'Except in cities of the first class, any elected officer, in case of misconduct, incapacity, or willful neglect in the performance of the duties of his or her office, may be removed from office by a unanimous vote of the members of the legislative body exclusive of any member to be removed, who shall not vote in the deliberation of his or her removal. No elected officer shall be removed without having been given the right to a full public hearing.' Though the petition alone cannot remove the council members, several residents are using it as an opportunity to voice their opinions on the matter. The petition can be found at
