Tension grows between mayor, citizens

PRICHARD, Ala. (WALA) - Tensions are growing in Prichard between newly elected Mayor Troy Ephraim and a group of citizens in the community.

Nearly 100 residents gathered Friday night to discuss the Mayor's termination of Prichard's "Top Cop;" Chief Jimmie Gardner.

Mayor Ephraim fired Gardner last month; sparking quite a bit of controversy. He released this letter about the termination during last week’s Prichard city council meeting.

“This is a person that does not sit behind a desk,” said Severia Campbell Morris about Chief Gardner. Morris is the President of the group, United Concerned Citizens of Prichard.

She went on to say; “In the City of Prichard, we don't need anyone sitting behind a desk. We need somebody out here ready to go one on one and come out in the community and work. He has done that.”

The group United Concerned Citizens of Prichard passed around a petition to have the mayor removed from office.

Speakers compared the cause with the movement to dissolve the Prichard water board.

FOX10 reached out to Mayor Ephraim for comment but have not heard back.