Ethics Commission to receive Tucker documents
by CHRIS NORWOOD
Jul 02, 2010 | 2595 views | 5 5 comments | 16 16 recommendations | email to a friend | print
TALLADEGA — Resident James Anderson has filed a complaint with the state ethics commission against Councilman Eddie Tucker based on allegations mentioned in Wednesday’s edition of The Daily Home.

“I am a 34-year-resident of the city of Talladega and a legal registered voter and taxpayer…” Anderson wrote. “As a private concerned citizen, I am formally requesting an Alabama Ethics Commission inquiry and possible prosecution on this matter.”

Ethics Commission general counsel Hugh Evans responded “The ethics commission cannot investigate complaints based on newspaper articles. However, it is suggested you contact the city, as they are required by law to report this to the ethics commission.”

Interim city manager Chris Stone said he had not formally submitted any information to the commission, but would be doing so soon.

The violations mentioned in the previous article involve the threat of a lawsuit from City Board of Education member Shirley Simmons-Sims. Simmons-Sims slipped and fell at the Spring Street Recreation Center in January 2009 and initially filed a $200,000 claim with the city’s insurance carrier. The claim was denied.

In June of this year, in order to forestall the possibility of a civil suit, Tucker, who is Simmons-Sims son-in-law, met with Parks and Recreation director Parvin Neloms to discuss possible solutions. Tucker suggested paying Simmons-Sims $900 for her ambulance costs, giving her a life-long membership at Spring Street and purchasing a new bathing suit for her.

A purchase order for the new bathing suit was submitted, but not approved. The $900 check was never issued.

Under the city manager law governing Talladega, it is a misdemeanor for a councilman to direct or instruct a city employee to carry out any specific action.

Tucker denied doing anything wrong, saying he only asked Neloms to talk to Simmons-Sims about a settlement. Neloms declined to comment.

Chris Norwood can be contacted at cnorwood@dailyhome.com

comments (5)
« january.hazelwood@yahoo.com wrote on Monday, Jul 05 at 11:47 AM »
i will never understand why people would vote for tucker in the first place.He has always liked trouble. I think he does feel like he is a force to be reckoned with. That is why the people of talladega should stand against him. He does not and will never have the community in his best interest he has his own as usual.Wake up talladega!!!
« vegunter@yahoo.com wrote on Monday, Jul 05 at 10:28 AM »
You have to wonder why, the other council members just sit back and, do nothing while this is going on,I don't understand it . I can't see me voting for anyone that is already in there, I say goodbye to them all.
« podracer1000@charter.net wrote on Sunday, Jul 04 at 08:00 PM »
For years on end, a collection of Talladega citizens have voted in certain City Council members, that I find, just plain redundant.Why do some Talladega citizens constantly opt for voting on certain city council members who wish only to bleed this town dry of funds and spirit? You may say it is their right to vote into office, any allegedly parasitic , self serving council persons, allegedly like a certain council person with the mother in law's alleged need for two bathing suits,and $900.00 and the certain council person's swimming pool cohorts ( they know who they are). You may do that, it's the law, to vote on the candidate of your choice. Now , after that is said, listen up Talladega, Alabama ; If you vote for the certain candidates who are always having questionable activity in the job of City Council, how on earth will Talladega ever,truly prosper? It is my opinion, that in many ways, Talladega is still maintaining old ways , as if the post reconstruction era after the " not so" Civil War ended in 1865, but it is obvious to me that we all live in a town that is slowly grinding to a halt, on a train no where fast. That is why voting for good representatives, is so important.So, It is always something,alleged bathing suits and large amounts of cash for persons who are reportedly related to certain council persons, alleged attempts to take money from my town's pocket, just because a certain City Council person, wants it. Apparently, a certain council person never heard the word no, during his early formative years. Aren't people who vote, tired of this council person's need to get his own way, tired of this person thinking he or she, is entitled? A job as councilman is supposed to be a job of honor, not give me this, give me that.If the city of Talladega keeps on allowing these political, self serving temper tantrums like a certain council person exhibits, we will all need a swim suit, because all of Talladega is going to take a bath in the swimming pool. The only dry person left , will be that of a certain council person. Give Me, Give Me. Give it a rest! Please Talladega, please,do not vote for the wrong people for city council in when it comes time to cast votes. Lets get some leaders with a futuristic , honest,progressive look at this town, we are behind in so many ways, it hurts.This alleged bathing suit bungle helps us not.Think of it Talladega, if we all vote in appropriate ,good representatives, this town could actually grow.Think of it, our children's children might actually flourish here one day.It is not too late to think of other avenues for Talladega to prosper. Smaller towns around our area are prospering, why not the City of Talladega ? (politics and greed,what else?)

Thanks though, to the council members who are pulling their weight, when certain other council members won't pull their own.The honest ones know who they are.They are the ones who can sleep at night with a clear conscience.
« perkmark50@yahoo.com wrote on Saturday, Jul 03 at 10:49 AM »
Mr Tucker and MR Patterson have no problem violating the voting laws or laws pertaining to public corporations why would they mind violating any other law? 11-42-2/ 11-42-3 and constitution sec. 104 for our legislators. look it up folks they are taking away your voting rights!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/acas/ACASLoginMac.asp
« Ex Mayor 2 @AOL.Com wrote on Friday, Jul 02 at 11:30 PM »
According to the state of Alabama, Code 36-25-17, the city manager has not other option but to file against Mr. Tucker...Mr. Chris Stone can be prosecuted if he does not file within 10 days of learning about this situation...What will be interesting is Mr. Tucker has indicated that Councilmember Dr. Horace Patterson is a co-conspiritor in this scenerio...

Post Your Stuff
Daily Home comment section
Aug 28 09 - 01:41 AM

Should The Daily Home require readers to register before posting comments?