By Kimberly Gasuras
CCN Reporter
CRESTLINE — More than 20 Crestline residents filed into Crestline Village Council Chambers on Monday evening to request that Mayor Allen Moore resign his position immediately after using racial slurs during a conversation with Crestline Police Chief Joe Butler on June 25.
Butler recorded the conversation with his body camera, according to documents released Friday by Galion attorney Michael Bear. Bear said he was hired by the village but was not conducting the investigation for Butler or Moore. He did not say who hired him to conduct the investigation into the racial slurs made by Moore.
During an hour-long conversation that was recorded by Butler in Moore’s garage area of his residence, Moore reportedly used the “N-word” four times. The first time he refers to not N*****-rigging in his construction. Later in the video Moore is speaking about riots that happened in Crestline in 1972.
Bear met with Moore on Aug. 29 to discuss the contents of the video. Moore said to Bear and again Monday evening that he feels Butler recorded their conversation to use against him in retaliation for Moore telling Butler he had to start working five days per week instead of four days. Moore also said Butler had been told to stop recording private conversations.
Butler was put on administrative leave on Aug. 31. Moore said the chief’s leave and an ongoing investigation of the police chief have nothing to do with the video of Moore and Butler’s discussion.
Crestline resident Leeann Walker-Williams spoke on behalf of residents present at the council meeting and asked for Moore’s resignation. She said that she was disgusted by the racial slurs used by Moore.
“I believe when you are elected mayor or any public office, you have a duty to the citizens,” Walker-Williams said. “I believe you are to treat all of the citizens in a fair, honest and respectful manner.”
Walker-Williams said she does not think Moore’s actions uphold his duty to be fair, impartial and loyal to the residents of Crestline.
“I believe you tried to conceal the evidence the police chief had on you,” Walker-Williams said. “I believe you are self-serving by putting him on administrative leave and not informing the public of what was going on. I believe that as mayor, and city council, you need to ensure that there is transparency in the local government and that was not displayed in your actions before the comments or after.”
She said the citizens were not properly informed of the situation of why Butler was put on administrative leave.
“Those comments you (Moore) made not only show the minority citizens of Crestline your character but all of the citizens of Crestline,” Walker-Williams said.
Walker-Williams also pointed out that the council’s minutes and agendas have not been updated on the village website since March.
Moore had issued a written apology to the citizens of the village and copies were given to each person in attendance at the meeting.
It reads, in part, “My heart and soul are dedicated to the Village of Crestline. I am greatly saddened that my conduct has in anyway tarnished this great village and its residents.”
The letter goes on to explain that the comments were made during an hour-long discussion between Moore and Butler about abuses of civil rights that happened in Crestline 45 years ago and that he was repeating words spoken by others.
Walker-Williams said the apology is not enough.
“I believe if you were born and raised here in Crestline, then you were very fortunate and had the opportunity to live in a community that promoted fairness, that promoted safety, that promoted respect for others no matter of your race, your religion or your creed. I don’t think the mayor displayed that with his actions,” Walker-Williams said. “Not only I, but other citizens, believe the only remedy for this community to move forward is for the mayor to resign. I hope and pray you do what is best for Crestline and its citizens.”
Moore did not agree during the meeting to resign and Walker-Williams said she will be circulating a petition, per the Ohio Revised Code, to facilitate the removal of the Moore from this position. She said the petition will be filed with the Crawford County Board of Elections when all signatures have been obtained.
Village officials have not released any information on the investigation of Butler or offered any reasons as to why he was placed on administrative leave.
The next village council meeting is Oct. 15 at 6:30 p.m.