A deputy director in Shelby County’s corrections systems resigned Tuesday, after several offensive and racially charged posts on his private Facebook page came to light.
David Barber worked for the county for 17 years, and stepped down after several making and sharing several posts which said, among other things, “the KKK is more American than our illegal president.”
Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell said he learned of these social media posts Friday, which began an investigation, concluding with Barber’s resignation Tuesday.
“I was appalled, I was offended, very poor taste,” said Mayor Luttrell. “He was very contrite, very apologetic.”
Barber, a deputy director, stepped down after making several questionable Facebook writings in recent days. In one, he posted in reference to President Obama, commenting “arrest convict… hang and confiscate all assets.”
In another, he posted, “he will run to his new mansion in the arab world to hide.”
“When a person’s private conduct impacts that person’s public position then it becomes my business,” says Mayor Luttrell.
“The man should not be employed by Shelby County government,” says community activist Tami Sawyer.
News of Barber’s resignation pleased Sawyer, who emailed Mayor Luttrell’s office earlier Tuesday, demanding the 17-year employee step down.
“Freedom of speech is great, that’s why we are here talking today, but that does not mean there’s no repercussions for what you say,” says Sawyer.
Barber’s wife told Local 24 he wasn’t home late Tuesday afternoon.
Mayor Luttrell said he expects Barber will receive a benefits package from the county since he resigned and was not fired.
The county, or its corrections division, does not have a specific social media policy, but there is an ethics policy of honesty and integrity and impartiality for how employees interact with other employees.
