In a recent meeting of the Aiken City Council held on September 23rd, Mayor addressed a serious concern regarding the use of racially insensitive language during a previous council presentation. The Mayor emphasized that such language is intolerable in Aiken and expressed a commitment to addressing the issue more promptly in the future. A private apology was extended to the affected staff member, and the Mayor reiterated that intolerance has no place in the council chambers or the city.

Following this important statement, the meeting proceeded with the Pledge of Allegiance led by the Chief. The Mayor reminded attendees of the guidelines for public decorum, stressing the importance of respectful communication during the meeting. Public comments were welcomed, with specific time limits set for speakers to ensure everyone had an opportunity to participate.

The agenda for the meeting was confirmed with no additions or deletions, and the minutes from the previous meeting were approved after a correction was made regarding one council member's attendance. The meeting concluded with the announcement of a presentation scheduled for the evening, marking a significant step in the council's ongoing discussions and community engagement efforts.