City Council members are calling out Mayor A C Wharton for taking credit for their plan to put kids to work this summer.
Families tell WREG they are sick of everyone playing politics.
They want to see kids off the corners and on the job, but city leaders say it’s time to give credit where credit is due.
Dwight Payne told WREG, “They need some activities other than just running around.”
Payne loves his neighborhood, and wants to see these kids succeed.
That’s why he was thrilled to hear Mayor A C Wharton announce one-thousand summer jobs for teens.
“They need some money! They need some money,’ he exclaimed.
But even a thousand jobs can’t stop the controversy between the mayor and city council.
Thursday, critics went on the attack because the mayor wanted to use money for his youth ambassador program.
The city council shot it down, and chose councilwoman Wanda Halbert’s job plan.
On Twitter , councilman Shea Flinn called the mayor a hypocrite.
“Halbert lead the effort to fund that program. Wharton fought the funding. Now he’s taking credit. It’s bull**** like this that has decimated council/admin relationship,” Flinn stated.
The Mayor’s Office told WREG quote, “There’s no merit to the accusation.”
Fellow Democrat and self-proclaimed note taker Tajuan Stout Mitchell is also criticizing the Mayor.
She says the mayor didn’t even invite council members until hours before the news Confrence.
In her email blog she wrote, “If Council and Mayor relationships are to ever improve, his office must understand and practice the principles of shared responsibilities and master the art teamwork.”
But families who hope to see their kids get a job say the important part is that it’s happening, not who’s name gets credit for it.
Payne added, “I really don’t care about who’s idea it was. I just want to see it come to life.”
We reached out to Halbert Thursday to get her side, but she didn’t return our calls.
We’re hearing hundreds of kids have already applied for the youth summer jobs.
It’s going to be a very competitive program.
