Harvey’s first City Council meeting of the year included impassioned public comments, two aldermen escorted out by police and an request for forgiveness by Mayor Christopher Clark.

Over the weekend, viral videos surfaced on social media drawing attention to at least one senior citizen who was boarded up inside his apartment unit at 14437 S. Halsted St., after the city told the property managers the building was uninhabitable. This laid the groundwork for Monday’s previously scheduled meeting, beginning with several residents voicing their concerns about the resident who was boarded inside his home.

“There has got to be some kind of procedure put in place, especially when we are talking about seniors and people that are handicapped, when you are getting ready to shut down a facility,” said Mauzkie Ervin, a former Harvey Public Library trustee. “There was no sign posted out there saying that this place is being condemned, that everybody was going to have to move.”

When the aldermen were given time to speak, they also shared frustration.

“I am shocked and embarrassed on the incident that happened on 144th and Halsted,” said 4th Ward Ald. Tracy Key. “Even though I didn’t make the call, I didn’t make the decisions, even though I wasn’t aware, I am still an alderman and that makes me just as responsible too. So I deeply apologize.”

One city leader read out the law in an attempt to see if legal action could be taken against the company that boarded up individuals while another alderman blamed the issue on the city’s inability to recoup money businesses owe the town in fines, fees and back taxes.

The biggest fireworks erupted when Clark shared his thoughts. While he too expressed frustration over what happened, he also deflected the issue by saying the town was $164 million in debt before he came into office. He also said city officials did board up the apartments, saying the property managers and Ultimate Touch Remodeling Company are to blame.

He then singled out Key and 2nd Ward Ald. Colby Chapman, saying when there are needed changes to city ordinances they are the most frequent no votes.

“When I bring the ordinance before you — Tracy Key, Colby Chapman — I wish you would read it. And then after you read it, I wish you would support it,” Clark said.

As he spoke, the room of about 60 as well as Key and Chapman began to stand up, demanding to know why the mayor directly called out two of his colleagues.

The shouting continued to get louder over the next three minutes. Chapman criticized Clark for “making a mockery” out of her role by calling her out in front of the television cameras that were present. Clark called her “out of order” as she continued to speak and banged his gavel.

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“I do not appreciate being singled out, the two people standing up for this city!” Key yelled at Clark.

The room responded with applause and shouts of support. A police officer slowly walked over to Chapman and helped her pack up her things.

“This is absolutely out of decorum,” Chapman yelled.

“Keep walking,” Clark replied as the police officer escorted her out of the building. Key walked out on his own accord.

No other votes were held and Clark settled into a 30-minute speech about his faith and asked for forgiveness, without directly apologizing for calling out his two colleagues.

After the meeting, Clark again asked for forgiveness and reiterated the need to review city ordinances to ensure no one in the future is boarded up inside their home.

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