JONESBORO, Ark. – A Jonesboro man who served on the Keep Jonesboro Beautiful Commission resigned in protest of the termination of Rachel Anderson at Tuesday night’s city council meeting.
Andrew Nadzam, a local criminal defense attorney and father, spoke during public comments at the meeting on December 5. He said the city’s recent decision to fire Anderson will have long-lasting consequences for the city. He also expressed his opinion that the city fired her for acting as a whistleblower and exercising her First Amendment rights.
Nadzam cited an 8th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in his assertion that the termination would not withstand legal scrutiny. He mentioned that the city has not cited any policy regarding when an employee should or should not address city council members.
“I have served on the Keep Jonesboro Beautiful Commission since its inception,” Nadzam said. “I have enjoyed serving on that commission. However, I cannot serve on an official commission of a city that does not support the First Amendment or its employees. I’m resigning effective immediately tonight.”
At the conclusion of his public comments, Nadzam called for elected officials to speak out about the decision and take a position on the issue.
Nadzam was one of 21 members on the Keep Jonesboro Beautiful Commission, including the director.
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The whole town wants you to quit, Cope. Just stop. Check in with your donor base. Oh, yeah. They’re all gone.
We could have had a mall, too. A record amount of money given away by FEMA and COVID. And all this putz and his idiot staff can do it bully the owner until they tore it down.
Do us all a favor and [censored], dude.
I respect your right to express yourself but I do wish we could go easy on comments like in that last sentence, please.