ALBEMARLE, N.C. — Two members of Albemarle’s Planning and Zoning Board have resigned after hate speech was caught on video at a city government meeting.
Channel 9 obtained video of the incident, which happened Thursday. A hot mic picked up members of the voluntary board using homophobic slurs when referring to drag shows.
Albemarle Mayor Ronnie Michael described the language as unacceptable, saying in part, “We are aware of inappropriate and inflammatory remarks made during a meeting of the voluntarily appointed planning and zoning board. We do not condone the words that were, used and they do not represent the city of Albemarle’s values or beliefs. We are currently determining the procedural steps to move forward.”
On Tuesday morning, an Albemarle spokesman said Joey Gathings and Dean Speight, Sr. resigned from the board.
The city council appointed two new volunteer members as well as one alternate in their absence.
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