A mayoral candidate challenging Wetumpka Mayor Jerry Willis is claiming the incumbent mayor has been pressuring local businesses to remove campaign materials of his opponent.
David Fletcher is the only other candidate challenging Willis in the municipal elections on August 26.
Willis, who has been the city’s mayor since 2008, has shown very little in the way of losing his seat in elections gone by.
However, Fletcher’s team is now accusing the mayor of using his influence to pressure local businesses to remove their campaign signs in several locations throughout the city. They also accused Willis of doing the same to candidates for other municipal positions.
According to Fletcher’s campaign manager, Patricia Stiver, the businesses targeted by Willis include a gas station, a vehicle mechanic shop, a Masonic lodge and a restaurant.
“At the restaurant, after we saw Jerry’s sign up, we asked the owner’s daughter,” Stiver said. “The owner was already gone, we were going to talk to him, so we asked the owner’s daughter because she runs it. She said, ‘Yeah. That will be fine. Jerry has his out there. It’d be fine to have both candidates. And she said we could put it out there. That was a Friday. We put it up Saturday. They’re closed on Sunday. On Monday, around lunch time, we got a phone call that our sign had been taken down.”
The businesses contacted by 1819 News were either unavailable to comment or refused to speak with them. None of the companies contacted by 1819 News denied that claim.
1819 News contacted Willis for a response to the accusations, with him going on the defensive before hanging up mid-interview.
Willis: “Listen, I don’t have that kind of power. I mean, people own these private businesses. I can’t tell them what to do.”
1819 News: So did you ask to have the signs taken down, not tell?
Willis: No. Now listen, I’m not going to get into this. This is politics. I don’t do this stuff. I am running for mayor. I am the mayor, and I’m running for mayor. I’m not going to play these games. This is not who I am. So, no, sir, I’m not going to respond to any of this. If he wants to respond to you, that’s fine, but not me. OK? Thank you.”
Willis then hung up on the reporter.
Flecher also spoke with 1819 News and gave a similar recounting of the drama, stating he had received permission from business owners to put up signage, only to be told that Willis had pressured them to have them removed.
“I don’t know why he would think I pose a threat to him,” Fletcher said. “He just does these things with all these people that hang around him. I mean, it’s just a sign. It’s just irritating, I guess. I don’t know why he does it.”
Another person connected to another municipal race who spoke with 1819 News on the condition of anonymity provided a similar account, claiming Willis had also seen to the removal of his sign.
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