Galesburg City Council chambers at City Hall.
A departing Galesburg alderman raised concerns of racism and negative campaigning during his closing comments during Monday’s City Council meeting.
Two of the three outgoing council members — Kevin Wallace and Jaclyn Smith-Esters — chose to reflect on their tenures Monday, while Larry Cox said he would reserve comment until the May 1 meeting.
3rd Ward Council Member Kevin Wallace said it’s been an honor to serve the past two years, but also decried what he called “hate, lies, racism, and sexism” on the council.
Wallace didn’t mention anyone specifically but made reference to a campaign mailer that listed the arrest record of Bradley Hix’s recent opponent for the 1st Ward Council seat.
Wallace said even though he’s leaving the Council, he will continue to use his energy to make sure the city continues to move in the “right direction.”
He also expressed support for City Manager Gerald Smith, saying Smith, the city’s first black City Manager, came into the job under a “cloud of racism.”
5th Ward Council member Jaclyn Smith-Esters used some of her closing comments to encourage the council to purchase the Rescue Mission buildings.
She said the city should turn one space into a warming shelter and the other part could be used for affordable housing.
Smith-Esters also said she was disappointed at the lack of attendance at a recent public meeting about a community center.
She still believes that Churchill is the best option for a community center, a project that may be changing course with the swearing-in of a new council in May.
Mayor Peter Schwartzman thanked the three and mentioned a list of accomplishments of the current council over the past 2 years.
The new council will be sworn in prior to the May 1 meeting.