WEST POINT — A former mayoral candidate in West Point was arrested Tuesday night during the city”s Board of Selectmen meeting after he refused to obey commands to remain silent and then resisted law enforcement officers who attempted to remove him from the premises.
Harold Lathon was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest in front of a nearly packed meeting room at West Point City Hall. Lathon said he was upset because he requested a spot on the Board of Selectmen agenda to discuss economic development, but the request was not granted.
City attorney Orlando Richmond said Lathon”s request for a spot on the agenda “was not sufficiently detailed in order to determine whether or not the information he wants to provide is appropriate for public consumption.”
Lathon, however, said selectmen have the authority to add him to the agenda, then criticized Mayor Scott Ross for making a statement at the beginning of the meeting regarding his leave of absence. Ross” statement wasn”t on the agenda, so Lathon told the mayor he was “out of order” by addressing the public.
Interim West Point Police Chief Bobby Lane warned Lathon to be quiet and then told the man to leave the room. Lathon refused to leave, however, and warned Lane and Sgt. Mark Stafford, who had arrived to escort Lathon from the premises, “Do not touch me.”
“Do not touch me,” Lathon said, his voice rising. “I”m telling you now, I am not going outside. I am a voting citizen in the city of West Point.”
Lane told Lathon he was under arrest for disorderly conduct, but Lathon continued to warn the law enforcement officials not to touch him. When Lathon and Stafford attempted to place Lathon under arrest, a scuffle ensued and the police officers wrestled Lathon to the ground. He crashed into the front row of chairs and left citizens shaking their heads in disbelief.
“Drag me out,” he repeated. “Arrest me and drag me out.”
Lathon grabbed a chair, but police pried it from his fingers and turned him face-down. Police then placed Lathon”s hands behind his back and into handcuffs. He shouted in pain as he laid on his stomach and eventually was led from the room after the five-minute ordeal.
Lathon had made his presence known before the meeting began, when Ross, who has been on leave since late October, arrived and walked onto the stage. Lathon raised his voice and cried out “A mockery” several times. Lathon also shouted several times that Ross” statement wasn”t on the agenda.
In the statement, Ross said his leave of absence was the result of “health concerns,” but did not elaborate.
“My physician has advised me to take personal time to address health concerns,” Ross said. “I”m taking that advice and will return to my duties as appropriate.”
Ross criticized a recent story about his whereabouts in The Columbus Packet as “irresponsible reporting” and “speculation,” and said he looks forward to returning to City Hall full-time as mayor. When that will be is still in question.
“I”ll be back in to work as appropriate,” Ross said after the meeting. “I”m back, but I”m not going to work full time right now.”
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