Recusal dispute at City Council meeting over property transfer to Kinston Teens
At the City Council meeting on July 20, 2021, the council voted 3-1 to transfer eight properties from the City of Kinston to Kinston Teens, a youth-led nonprofit organization.
City Councilmember Sammy Aiken disputed one council member’s ability to vote.
Locations approved by the City Council
401 N Orion St (10363),
403 N Orion St (10620),
812 Tower Hill Rd (13183),
821 Tower Hill Rd (6196),
819 Tower Hill Rd (12331),
900 Tower Hill Rd (12880),
903 Tower Hill Rd (12332),
823 Tower Hill Rd (14124)
“I still think it’s inappropriate for a councilman to not recuse herself from voting, I know the attorney said she did not have to recuse herself, but you're still voting for property that’s under one of her organizations she’s in,” said Aiken. “I would ask that she recuse herself from voting.”
City Councilmember Kristal Suggs is also the Board of Directors Chairperson for Kinston Teens. The city’s attorney had previously advised the council that it was Kristal Suggs’ obligation to vote.
“Even if I get up to walk out of the room at this moment, the vote is going to count that I said yes,” said Suggs. “The attorney has recommended that I cannot be recused from the vote, so I’m going to vote. Because it’s lawful, it’s the right thing to do. That organization does not put one dime in my pocket sir.”
Aiken continued to dispute the finding of the city’s attorney.
“I respect the opinion of the attorney, but I’ve heard different,” said Aiken. “I would check with the League of Municipalities. I have second thoughts.”
Councilmember Robert Swinson asked the city’s attorney to reiterate the words he shared with the council about Suggs’ ability to vote for the property transfer to Kinston Teens.
“I have consulted with Councilwoman Suggs with her roles with the Kinston Teens and whether it was appropriate for her to be excused from voting. In my opinion, she is obligated to vote,” said City Attorney James P. Cauley, III.
Aiken expressed his perception of how their actions appeared and reiterated he didn’t think it looked good.
The vote passed 3-1, with Aiken as the dissenting vote. Mayor Pro Tem Felicia Solomon was absent from the meeting. Swinson, Suggs, and Councilmember Antonio Hardy voted for it.
City Council candidate Chris Suggs, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Kinston Teens, addressed the issue in a Facebook post.
“Kinston Teens pays property taxes on each of the properties we own in the City of Kinston, and plan to do the same with these,” said Chris Suggs. “Although we’re a nonprofit organization and there are local tax exemptions we could apply for, we’ve actually chosen not to because of the (albeit small) impact the tax revenue could have for our city and county.”
