Jonestown City Council alderman Gregory Neely Sr. believes he has been the target of personal attacks the past couple of years.
Neely alleged he most recently found an egg thrown on the windshield and other part of his 2017 Toyota Tundra at his home on Jones Street following Friday’s virtual council meeting. He said it is not the first time his vehicle has been targeted after a meeting. He also said flyers have circulated around the community targeting him.
However, after Friday’s meeting, Neely filed a complaint with police chief Rico Smith claiming it was personal because of his disagreements with Mayor Kenny Lester.
“I know it happened because of that meeting. It (meeting) happened on Facebook,” Neely said. “He had it on the city hall phone and his personal phone. He had it live on Facebook so everybody was listening at the meeting.
“They had to walk around it to do it, it seemed to me. That was intentional. They weren’t just throwing it at anybody.
“It’s just odd all these things happen after board meetings.”
Lester said he was unaware of anyone targeting Neely until he was informed after the fact.
“He did contact me the other day and said someone hit his truck,” Lester said. “That’s my first time hearing about it when somebody called me the other day.
“I don’t condone anybody egging his truck.”
Smith does not have any leads on the case, but based on what he saw, he said it appeared an egg was thrown at Neely’s truck.
“I don’t have any suspects at this time,” Smith said. “He did tell me it happened at his house. He did tell me he believed it had something to do with him being an alderman and after the board meeting on Friday.”
Smith said the offense is a misdemeanor and the punishment would be left at the discretion of the court.
“He (Neely) could sign an affidavit and we would get a warrant issues for malicious mischief,” Smith said.
Days after the meeting, Neely said he saw an egg next door to his home and he suspected it was meant for him.
“Evidently, someone was coming by and they ran off with it,” Neely said.
Although Neely is concerned he will continue to be a target, Smith said it would be difficult to watch his home.
“At this point, we still have one officer and that’s me,” Smith said. “I’m still the only officer. I can only be at so many places at one time. You can only do so much.”
Lester does not plan to hire any other officers.
“Nobody is going to sit out there and watch his truck,” Lester said. “We can’t hire an officer individually to just watch one person’s house or something.”
Lester and Smith did agree any citizens who see someone attempting to damage Neely’s property should report the offense.
“It’s Mr. Neely today, but it could be them tomorrow,” Smith said.
