Akers approached the council for the third time since September 2007 regarding an alleged incident that involved the Middlesboro Police Department.
Akers claims that he was disregarded by Police Chief Jeff Sharpe in a request to obtain surveillance video displaying the break-in of his vehicle at the Wal-Mart parking lot. During the meeting, in an address to councilmembers, Akers accused Middlesboro Police Officer Kenny Vanover of assaulting him during the night in question. He also claims that he was denied an audio recording of his conversation with Lieutenant David Buis concerning the theft of his property.
As Akers approached the councilmen he stated, “I’ve asked one simple thing to be done. You run this town, Mr. Mayor. You’re here for the people. I was in Wal-Mart and that officer [Vanover] got on me, assaulted me and threw me out.”
Mayor Ben Hickman asked, “Who’s got the tapes?” Councilman Doug Hughes asked, “What do the tapes show?”
“Mr. Sharpe has the tapes. And he has the phone call where I called down there. Now if Mr. Sharpe would go to this great length to cover up a phone call,” Akers said.
Chief Sharpe, standing at the back of the room, interrupted Akers’ allegations at that point, saying, “Whoa! Wait just a minute. I’m not covering up anything!”
“So there should be no issue. It should be very simple. Should be able to just pop the tape out and pop it in. And you’d hear how this man [Buis] speaks. Just like the video at Wal-Mart. We should be able to pop it in and you guys see. I was assaulted by an officer [Vanover] at Wal-Mart,” responded Akers.
As the heated discussion continued, Mayor Hickman posed a question to the police chief, “Have we got anything he needs, Jeff?”
Sharpe nodded his head as if to say that they did not.
Akers then turned and said to Chief Sharpe, ”You think you’re winning.”
“There ain’t nothing to win,” Sharpe responded.
The mayor asked Akers, “What do you want me to do?”
“Change these policies so this right here can’t happen again,” Akers said.
Hickman looked towards Sharpe — still at the back of the room and said, “Jeff, don’t ever let this happen again.”
Sharpe nodded, “Yes, sir.”
Akers began the discussion again as council member Evelyn Farmer interjected, “If you were assaulted, file charges with the county attorney. We can handle a discipline problem but not ‘til charges are filed.”
Councilman Robert Lincks added, “Chief has done an excellent job and he will do what is correct. I’m not here to say whether he is or isn’t because I don’t know the case.”
Eventually, Councilman Ronnie Carter made a motion to refer the incident to the Safety Committee. Councilman Everett Gulley seconded the motion and the rest of the council voted in agreement.
It was unclear who made a motion to adjourn the meeting but the ending was clearly defined when Mayor Hickman stood up and said, “I’m gone.”
The remaining councilmen left Akers standing in the front of the room as they filed out of the meeting.
“See. See how it works,” commented Akers to the remaining attendants.
Also approved during the council meeting:
Sarah Miracle is a staff writer for the Daily News. She can be reached via e-mail at smiracle@middlesborodailynews.com.
Pictured is Middlesboro resident Joseph Akers who came before the Middlesboro City Council on Tuesday. Akers said that this was his third appearance before the council since September 2007, with the same problem. (SARAH MIRACLE/Middlesboro Daily News)
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