Video: UPDATE- City Responds To Turner Cell Phone Shutoff

COLUMBUS, MS (WCBI)  A WCBI story at Midday reporting that City Council member Marty Turner’s city issued phone was turned off has drawn a reaction fro the City Administration.  Just moments ago, Mayor Robert Smith issued this statement on why the action was taken.

HERE IS THAT STATEMENT

Mayor Robert Smith issued a directive on Monday
morning, June 13, 2016 that the city-owned cell phone for
Columbus City Councilman Marty Turner be
disconnected.
The action by Smith followed several Facebook posts by
Turner over the weekend where Turner said, among other
things, “I think you are scared because I will kill you first.
Never threat my life I have family to live for . I promise I
will kill you…”
Mayor Smith said the choice to disconnect the phone
service was his own decision. “I am deeply concerned
over the social media posts from Councilman Turner,”
said Smith. “Death threats are serious matters, whether
they are being made to or from Councilman Turner.”
The City of Columbus has a clear social media policy that
prohibits employees from engaging in activity like this, but
the Mississippi Attorney General said the rules do not
apply to elected officials.
“Councilman Turner used the city-owned phone for the
data to publish these posts,” said Smith. “Because of that,
I am obligated as Mayor to not allow the city to fund such
activity. That is why I had the service turned off Monday
morning.”
Smith said Turner could have his phone reactivated
quickly if Turner complied with one request.
“If Councilman Turner is not using his city phone and data
for these posts, he can turn the phone into our crime lab
and they can determine the truth. They can determine if
the phone was used for these posts or not. If the phone is
clear, I will have it turned on the same day,” said Smith.
Turner is the councilman from Ward Four.
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