David Bridges
A Jacksonville resident has asked an alderman to resign after he claims she violated his rights by blocking him on Facebook after a discussion on the page “Jacksonville Il Swap Shop.”
Ward 1 Alderman Eren White-Williams was asked to resign during the Jacksonville City Council meeting Tuesday by resident Joseph Newingham, who said Williams blocked him on Facebook after she engaged with him on a public forum.
The page is not operated by the city, but is a public group.
“A week or two ago, I made a comment on a post … Eren came into the conversation and said they were working on a contract,” Newingham said.
The post was made by another Jacksonville resident asking about available trash services in town. Though many people commented on the post, Newingham made a comment stating that he felt it was wrong of the council to limit the services to one company and allowing the company to monopolize the trash service industry in Jacksonville.
Following that, Williams responded to Newingham’s comment. Though Newingham said he disagreed with what she was saying and added that he and many other people weren’t happy with the way things were going, he said he was never disrespectful and other were also arguing about the decision.
“I said something along the lines of them dropping the ball,” he said. Shortly after, he said he could see the post and his comments, but not Williams’.
“I wasn’t being mean or aggressive,” Newingham said.
Williams did not comment during the meeting but later said she did not realize what she was doing was wrong.
“I was not aware I was violating anyone’s rights,” Williams said. “No one is blocked at this time and I would like to extend my apologies to Mr. Newingham. I hope I have remedied this.”
City Attorney Dan Beard said he couldn’t comment on the situation.
“We listened to what Mr. Newingham said, but beyond that I have no comment as the city attorney,” Beard said.
