A proposal to award a $40,000 contract to a former College Park city council candidate was denied Monday following sharp comments from city leaders, and criticism from a resident who questioned whether the proposed contract amounted to a payoff for the candidate exiting the race.
Mayor Bianca Motley Broom, in a post previewing the council meeting, said the proposal raised red flags. “Even if no promises were made, the perception is concerning,” Motley Broom wrote.
Councilman Joe Carn and Mayor Pro Tem Jamelle McKenzie supported hiring Demetris Taylor, owner of Dishing Tea Entertainment, to produce positive video content for the city’s public access Channel 23.
Taylor, an outspoken and controversial figure in College Park, previously served on the city’s Business and Industrial Development Authority. He had plans to run against Carn for the Ward 2 seat this November, but did not enter the race during the qualifying period.
The proposed hiring contract was denied, with Motley Broom, Councilwoman Tracie Arnold and Councilman Roderick Gay in opposition. Even before the decision, questions had surfaced about how the proposal came forward and whether it was appropriate.
Carn, McKenzie, and Taylor, who spoke during public comment, said there was nothing unethical in his potential hiring. But, resident Mose James IV said it appeared that an arrangement was being made with Taylor to help Carn get reelected.
“All of a sudden he’s not running against Carn but he is up for a $40,000 contract,” James said.
Carn said he was unaware that Taylor had planned to run against him in his reelection.
“I didn’t know if he was running or not,” Carn said.
However, in a YouTube video posted before Monday’s meeting, Taylor explained that rather than run against Carn, he would support the councilman’s reelection bid against candidate LaKresha Williams.
“So I told Joe that if he keeps me on board — in his ear — my goal is to be his personal assistant. That’s my goal,” Taylor said in the video. “…He and I agreed … [Joe] said, ‘I do need help to make sure I have an ear to the ground.'”
Taylor added: “I said Joe, I’m willing to help you because I know this is the best thing for the city. This is what’s best; otherwise, I’d stay in it.”
Carn did not return a phone call to SaportaReport requesting comment.
Concerns over social media presence
Another point of controversy is Taylor’s social media persona, particularly his Facebook page, Everything College Park, where he frequently discusses city issues in posts laced with profanity and disparaging remarks against the mayor, city manager and others. Some residents view his comments as sexist and misogynistic.
Carn said he was unaware of Taylor’s posts, adding that while he disagreed with such behavior, “it’s par for the course” for public officials to face criticism.
“What someone personally feels is obviously their feelings,” Carn said. “People have issues and…they want to speak their peace.”
During the meeting, McKenzie argued it would be “discriminatory” to reject Taylor’s contract based on his public image, acknowledging that the two are friends. She also cautioned that Taylor might retaliate verbally if the contract were denied.
“Mr. Taylor is going to continue to do what he does. I don’t want to be on the side of saying, ‘I don’t want to give him a contract.’ Because, when we give him a contract, then he works for the city of College Park. But if you choose not to, whatever you get is what you deserve,” McKenzie said.
After the meeting, resident James posted a video on the Facebook page, Speak Up College Park, pairing McKenzie’s comments with a clip of Taylor reacting online to the denial. In the clip, Taylor used derogatory language toward James and his wife. James has been the target of Taylor’s posts because of their opposing views on city issues.
James told SaportaReport that awarding Taylor the contract would’ve sent a message that the city condones disparaging and demeaning behavior towards women. The city has faced accusations of tolerating such conduct on multiple occasions.
“It does continue to push that misogynistic, sexist behavior,” James said. “It’s surprising to me that [officials] would even try to legitimize it.”
Mr Taylor and his views are not just offensive they are hate speech wrapped up in freedom of speech.
If he is not running for office, why is his campaign website still up and and asking for donations.. demetristaylor4cpga dot com
Kind Sir….
Did you even consider that the website had been PAID FOR for a period of time, thus its continued presence????
Was there an attempt by the reporter to speak with Taylor? This reporting seems to favor the opposition of Mr. Taylor without the inquiry of his intent. I too spoke at the meeting mentioned and questioned how the city currently spends $1,2 million recorded in franchise taxes since the Mayor took office to oversee our PEG stations. This contract was to assist the city in utilizing a resource that is underdeveloped and in some cases nonexistent even though moneys have been paid to the city for utilization. Personality politics aside, the citizens deserve the access to maximize the usage of educational and public access television. Taylor could have helped with that.
Is the language he uses in his video reportings not offensive to you? And it is not just this one , it is most of them- hopefully College Park is better than this person’s views-
This is all a bunch of fluff. First of all did Adrianne ask Mose why Mr. Taylor called his wife a b…? Did Mose disclose that his wife cussed Mr Taylor out and then Mr Taylor called her that for disrespecting him? Did Mose disclose how nasty and hateful he is to women in this city? Please stop with the BS. Also, there are so many contracts that were passed that night that we’re looking very illegitimate. Why wasn’t a story written on the real issues? This group of ppl is just trying to start something against the Councilman who is running for reelection all because Mr Taylor effed up their evil plan when he chose not to run. Get over it!
Fluff- hardly fluff – hateful language wrapped up in freedom of speech
Ms. Holland,
You are entitled to your opinion, but it’s awfully strange that my “hateful language” was just fine when I criticized all those that ny opponents felt DESERVED that kind of reprimand!! As long as I showed my disdain for Councilmen Gay and Carn, I was cheered AND ENCOURAGED to continue talking!!!
I have been doing Everything College Park, Georgia for nearly 2 years and SUDDENLY I am accused of being misognistic and “hateful” which are all political trigger words to further the “Speak Up College Park/ United College Park” agenda to unethically CONTROL City Council!!!!
I didn’t receive this kind of criticism during my 1.5 years on Mixx106Radio.com with Dee Cee!!!
HERE’S SOMETHING ELSE INTERESTING: THE EPISODES WHERE I DID NOT “GO HARD”, THOSE ARE THE ONES WITH THE FEWEST VIEWS!!!! NO ONE SEEMED INTERESTED IN THOSE SHOWS!!
Now, I realize that you are one of the elders of our community and my harsh tongue my be considered “too much” for you due to our generational differences, but I encourage you to LISTEN TO THE ENTIRE BROADCAST AND NOT JUST THE HIGHLIGHTS AND SOUNDBITES IN ORDER TO HEAR THAT I AM FAIR IN MY ASSESSMENTS IN ALL MY PROFANITY LACED COMMENTARY!!!!
Mr Taylor
Until approximately 3 months ago I followed your FB postings but at that point I made the decision that we are too different in how we express ourselves – and I’m not certain that this is because I am an elder- I think it has more to do with how we express ourselves- I am a person who will never understand yelling and profanity as a means of addressing others. Just my upbringing
Ms. Holland,
Again, you’ve proven my point with your statement, “it’s my upbringing”
Contrary to popular belief, I, too, come from the same type of upbringing where we mind our manners and our tones when speaking with our elders and how we represent the family while being out in public or having an audience. I WOULDN’T DARE use the same venecular with my parents or any of the elders in my family because that was DEATH BY SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION!! LOL
However, as an adult, and a pop culture commentator who does not sugarcoat the issues, this is what you get!
Your disdain is duly noted and respected.