Mayor gives apology for 'monkeys' remark

By Joel Davis
Of The Daily Times Staff

Blount County Mayor Jerry Cunningham has issued a public apology for his remarks at the Lincoln Day Dinner on May 9 when he apparently compared Democrats on the Blount County Commission to monkeys.

"Recently, in jest, at a dinner I made some remarks which offended some folks," Cunningham said in the apology released Friday. "Since being elected, my family and I have endured many remarks made toward me, not in jest, but out of malice, anger and hatred. That, however, does not justify my remarks. As a matter of conscience, I regret having made these comments and apologize to all who were offended."

As reported in The Daily Times, Cunningham, during his comments, had been recounting a conversation that took place on a night when he was upset with the three Democratic commission members -- whom he didn't name.

"It was one of those nights that I was mad at those three on the commission, and I had a committee meeting and all three of there were on it," he had said. "And I said, 'Well, I'll go to the bottom of the hill and I can turn right and go to the Knoxville Zoo, or I can turn left and go to that committee meeting. And I can see the monkeys at the zoo or I can see them at the committee meeting. This next election ... do us a favor and turn those three Democrats out to pasture, for God's sake."

Commissioner Wendy Pitts-Reeves, one of those Democrats, gave the mayor credit for making the apology.

"I appreciate his willingness to offer that apology," she said. "I'm sure many people will appreciate it. Unfortunately, part of being in public service is dealing with negative comments all the time. It comes with the territory. There is no reason for us to stoop to that level ... so, I appreciate his grace in the matter."