Council member in Kentucky city ousted after using racial slur during meeting

The Salyersville City Council voted Wednesday to remove one of its members after he used a racial slur during a meeting.

On Oct. 18, the council was discussing passing out candy for a Halloween event when council member Colin Ray Jackson said to his fellow council member “Whatever you want, you’re the head N-----,“ as heard in a video posted on YouTube by Ritt Mortimer.

Mayor Pete Shepherd said you could’ve heard a pin drop after Jackson used the racial slur. Shepherd said the council quickly adjourned the meeting.

“It was a slip of the tongue,” Jackson said in an interview Thursday. “I didn’t mean anything by it.”

Shepherd said after the meeting he knew something needed to be done and referred to the League of Cities for advice. The mayor also asked Jackson to resign, but he refused.

Shepherd posted a statement on his personal Facebook page.

“At last night’s, city council meeting a comment was made by a city council member that could put a lot of our efforts in jeporady (sic),” he wrote. “The statement was racist in nature. Myself and the other five council members were shocked and wish to say we do not and will not condone in any shape, form, or fashion the comment that was made.”

Magoffin County Judge-Executive Matt Wireman also issued a statement about the comments made by Jackson.

“I, on behalf of the Magoffin County Fiscal Court and the Citizens of Magoffin County, want it known that we are a welcoming, inclusive, and loving community and this city council member does not in any manner, speak for the judge/executive, the fiscal court or our fine citizens,” Wireman wrote.

The council voted unanimously to remove Jackson from the Salyersville City Council for misconduct. Before the vote, Councilman Herbert Holbrook resigned because he didn’t want to vote against Jackson, according to the ousted councilman and the mayor.

Jackson said the vote was political and that he was removed because Shepherd didn’t like him.

Jackson apologized to his constituents. He served on the council for one year.

“I feel like I let them down,” he said. “I meant no harm from it.”

Jackson said he plans to appeal through the circuit court next week.

Shepherd said he doesn’t think Jackson understands the gravity of the racial slur he used.

“At the time, no,” Shepherd said. “At this time, I still don’t think so.”

The council will need to wait for the court’s decision to fill Jackson’s seat. It has 60 days to fill Holbrook’s seat or the governor will appoint it.