MOWAs ask for Barnett's removal from police force
By Ellen Williams SA Reporter

Jacob Snow reads letter. Eliot Reed stands behind him. (SA photo by Ellen Williams)

Members of the MOWA Band of Choctaws were present at the McIntosh Town Council meeting on May 13 to call for the removal of Officer Blane Barnett from the McIntosh Police Force.

MOWA Council member, Eliot Reed addressed the town council saying the MOWA people had composed a letter which they wished to read. Jacob Snow read the letter which stated their grievances against Officer Barnett and their desire for his immediate removal from the McIntosh Police Force. In addition, the letter called for the temporary removal of Chief Mike Barnett, Officer Barnett's father, until the investigation into a March 14 incident is completed.

On March 14, two officers, Blane Barnett and Mike Ready, were in pursuit outside the jurisdiction of the town of McIntosh. The letter stated that Reed was in the process of stopping his vehicle when Barnett "…leaped from the unmarked vehicle and tazed Reed through the open window." The letter then alleges that Barnett hurled Reed face first to the asphalt, struck him in the face with his fist and repeatedly smashed his face into the pavement.

The McIntosh Town Hall was crowded during Tuesday's town council meeting. (SA photo by Ellen Williams)

Several speakers addressed the city council indicating that the MOWA community is afraid of Barnett and they are apprehensive when they are stopped at roadblocks and he is one of the officers working it. The letter stated, "If he is allowed to stay on the police force, we feel that an inevitable and dangerous situation is on the horizon. The fact that Mr. Barnett has a violent history, coupled with lack of respect many citizens now have for him, is a recipe for a dangerous and potentially deadly encounter."

Repeatedly speakers asked for Barnett to be removed from patrolling in a squad car. Mayor Carroll Daugherty stated several times that he could not comment nor discuss Barnett's character nor his personnel record in a public meeting. "It is illegal for me to comment on this in this setting. This matter must be handled in an executive session. I am not going to engage in a debate about Blane Barnett's character," the mayor stated.

Councilman Dean Daugherty turned to the mayor and asked if Spencer Walker (the DA) is investigating the matter. "That is my understanding," the mayor responded.

Elliot Reed rose again and said, "We no longer want Blane Barnett on the police force. Keep him within the city limits. Put him behind a desk."

Jackie Snow stated, "He (Barnett) is overly aggressive. That kind of police work needs to be in New Orleans or New York. Don't police us like we're Muslim terrorists. This is the United States; we are the indigenous people."

Addressing the mayor, Teresa Snow said, "You say you want to handle this legally. Whenever a police officer is involved in brutality, he is immediately put on suspension. All we are asking is that you keep him (Barnett) in the city limits. You continually say there is nothing you can do. Surely you can put him on suspension."

Framan Weaver, former chief of the MOWA Band, stated that he is concerned about the excessive checkpoints. He said it is getting to where "We can't take our family out to eat without being stopped at a checkpoint."

In the last paragraph, the MOWA's letter stated that they wished the town council to take immediate action on their concerns because they do not feel that "…this particular incident has been treated properly."

Other business

Michael Onderdonk, county attorney, was on hand to get signatures of the town council in preparation of a document to form a public corporation, the purpose of which will be to incorporate a "district" from approximately the city limits of McIntosh to the Mobile County line. The public corporation will consist of members appointed by the town of McIntosh, the McIntosh Water Board and the Washington County Commission. The immediate purpose of said corporation will be to create and maintain a public sewerage system. The incorporation papers must spell out: how members are appointed, terms of appointment, duties and jurisdiction. This corporation will manage all phases of the sewerage system.

The town of McIntosh will assume no liabilities; the county of Washington will. There will be no cost to the town of McIntosh. The town will eventually be asked to allow sewerage lines to go through city easements.

There being only three members of the town council present, Onderdonk got their signatures and will get the other two later.

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