TOM BARTON
Why Davenport's lone Black alderman announced his abrupt resignation with 10 months left in his first term remains unclear.
Alderman Patrick Peacock, Ward 7, on Thursday attempted to clarify comments made just hours before, after announcing his pending departure from the Davenport City Council, criticizing his colleagues and city staff for being "tone deaf" when it comes to addressing racial inequality and discrimination in the city.
Peacock announced Wednesday at Davenport City Council's Committee of the Whole meeting that he will step down from the position in April after serving just over a year in the role.
Asked why he decided to step down, Peacock initially cited "a multitude" of "personal reasons," without elaborating. But while talking with a Black Davenport resident in the hallway following Wednesday's meeting, after the resident accused city officials of ignoring his complaints about mistreatment and harassment along with other residents of The Heritage, a city-owned building that offers Section 8 rental-assistance, Peacock said: "I'm not saying that's one of the reasons why I'm resigning, but (chuckles) this is one of the reasons. Because, we are tone deaf when it comes to people of color."