City commission charges Guess with misconduct, asks for his resignation

The Paducah City Commission voted to charge Commissioner David Guess with misconduct following racially-charged text messages sent to a city employee on Election Day.

Commissioner Guess made his first public comments on the matter and said that the flippant remarks do not represent who he is or the record he has as a commissioner. He offered an apology to former commission candidate Dujuan Thomas, as well as to the commission and the citizens of Paducah.

Commissioner Reynarldo Henderson said he felt that the apology came across as disingenuous, because of the amount of time that had passed. Henderson said it seemed as though Guess was just looking to get out of a bad situation.

Also during the open session of the meeting, the mayor and commissioners heard public comments for and against Guess. They also heard from Thomas, who was referenced in the messages for having his campaign signs on city property against the city ordinance. Thomas offered forgiveness to Guess but called for him to be removed.

Following another extended executive session, Mayor George Bray said that the commission had asked Guess to resign his position. Guess declined to do so. The commission then approved a resolution charging Guess with misconduct. 

Under the law, Guess is granted a public hearing to answer the charge. That hearing will be scheduled in the near future.