Florence mayor resigns amid allegations of racist behavior
Florence Mayor Ron Hinkle resigned Wednesday morning after TARGET 13 revealed allegations he was drunk and using racial slurs at a city festival. A criminal investigation into what happened is now underway.
“I don’t think I’ve been performing to the best of my abilities since the Americana Festival,” Hinkle told TARGET 13.
Hinkle said that was because his wife, Juli, who’s also accused of offensive behavior at the festival, has been having physical, mental and emotional problems since the accusations came to light.
Some at the festival said they saw the Hinkles yelling at security guards when they weren’t allowed re-entrance as the gates were closing.
Witnesses said nasty words and racial slurs were used, and one particular worker was targeted.
“He called her the n-word,” said Sarah Brassfield, co-owner of B&T Security, which was helping with the festival. “She’s not even a colored person, she’s just dark skinned. So for that to be said to her, she took a lot of offense and it hurt her.”
At the August 6th city council meeting, CJ Youngs, who said he witnessed the incident, called on Hinkle to resign immediately.
At that time Hinkle denied any wrongdoing, but when TARGET 13 asked Wednesday if what happened at the festival played a role in his resignation, he said that his attorney advised him not to comment because of the investigation that’s underway.
That investigation is being done by Fremont County sheriff’s and Canon City police detectives.
“We just thought it was best to turn it over to an outside agency so there was no impropriety,” said Florence city manager Mike Patterson. “What we know is they’re pretty far along in their investigation.”
Patterson said residents have been impacted by what’s happening.
“It’s been quite the topic of discussion in the community,” he said. “These type of accusations don’t happen in a place like this very often and people have been surprised.”
The Florence city council issued a statement saying in part, “We wish to extend our heartfelt and sincere thanks to (Hinkle) for the job he has done while being Mayor of Florence. We would ask the citizens of our wonderful community to keep he and his family in your thoughts for healing and strength during difficult personal times.”
The city council will announce Hinkle’s vacancy at its meeting on Monday and then begin the search for a new mayor. Those interested must submit a letter to council.
Hinkle agreed to an on camera interview after his resignation Wednesday, but said he had to cancel because he was with his wife getting her treatment at an out of town facility most of the day.
