My public comment to the JC Commission at their Meeting on Thursday, April 3, 2025
Good evening. I share this comment as a representative for the Washington County Democratic Party.
Thank you for the opportunity to let residents speak.
No one wants to see the city or JCPD fail. Clearly, trust has been breached, and many residents are still harmed by the situation
I have four sets of questions to complement what has been said so far, and I hope you will provide responses publicly in this meeting or at another public engagement
1- How do you reconcile the cognitive dissonance of paying $28M in a settlement while at the same time saying the JCPD did nothing wrong?
2- On the payment of $27M out of the city reserve: how is that massive amount not compromising the city’s rainy day/emergency funds? How are you planning to replenish the reserves, especially in the context of the John Sevier building development incentives?
3- Now that this case has made national news, what accountability steps are you going to take to do right by victims and residents, and how will you mend the city’s reputation against the national shame placed on Johnson City?
4- As you are hearing, residents have many questions, and this format is not conducive to the dialogue necessary to provide clear answers, to increase transparency and accountability, or to repair the trust broken between city leaders/JCPD and residents of Johnson City. So my last question is this: will you organize a public town hall on this issue? If not, will you participate in one organized by a coalition of civic organizations?
Thank you.
