Tensions flare before Perry County Commission meeting as dispute breaks out between commissioners

MARION, Ala. (WSFA) - Tensions ran high before the Perry County Commission meeting Monday night after a disagreement between two commissioners escalated into a heated face-to-face exchange.

Cellphone video captured just moments before the meeting shows Commissioner Albert Turner Jr. stepping directly into Commissioner Brett Harrison’s personal space as voices rise in the room.

In the video, Sheriff Roy Fikes can be seen stepping in between the two men, helping calm the situation before the meeting moved forward.

While no physical fight occurred, both commissioners — and community members watching — say the moment reflected deeper division inside county leadership.

Turner: Dispute started over a document

Commission Chairman Albert Turner Jr. told WSFA 12 News the confrontation began when he asked Harrison to pass a document down the table to the vice chairman.

Turner says Harrison began looking at the paper instead of handing it over.

“He began to look at his mail, and I told him that was not for him and that he needed to pass it on,” Turner said. “And he acted like he didn’t want to pass it on, so I went to retrieve it.”

Turner insisted he was not angry, saying the situation has been exaggerated.

“I had no malice. I had no anger whatsoever,” Turner said. “I wanted him to do what I asked him to do, and he did it, and that was it.”

Turner also suggested Harrison’s reaction stemmed from ongoing political tension within the commission.

“Harrison was irate,” Turner said. “He’s the only Republican that’s on the commission, and he’s not in the know of what’s going on in the leadership, but that’s politics.”

Witness: Exchange felt intimidating

A citizen who witnessed the encounter says it appeared far more aggressive in the room than Turner described.

Brandon Kelsey, a Marion resident who attended the meeting, said the confrontation caught many people off guard.

“It hit us all off guard,” Kelsey said. “Commissioner Harrison isn’t one to blow up like that. He’s normally very cool and collected.”

Kelsey said Turner’s actions came across as physically disrespectful.

“Chairman Turner stepped to him as he was sitting down, looking down on him with the utmost physical disrespect possible,” Kelsey said. “And continue to push into him to attempt to physically intimidate him.”

Kelsey added that Harrison should have been allowed to review the document if it was something commissioners would later be expected to vote on.

“He’s going to be asked to vote on something,” Kelsey said. “He should have every right to look at it, regardless of what it is.”

Harrison: Contract should have been shared

Harrison later provided WSFA 12 News with a written statement disputing Turner’s description of the document.

In part, Harrison wrote: “There was not an altercation. It was the fact that the chairman in an aggressive manner would not share a copy of a contract to be voted on. He attempted to force his way through me at which time I told him to get out of my face... He complied.”

Commission still advances jail project

Despite the tense exchange, Turner says the commission did make progress on a major issue facing Perry County: reopening the Marion County Jail.

Turner provided an update on several steps recently approved, including repairs and temporary housing for inmates.

“We selected a fire engineer to go in and outline what we needed to do,” Turner said. “We signed a contract with CERPRO so they could come in and vacuum out the air conditioning ducts.”

Turner also said the county has secured repairs for the jail’s fire safety systems.

“We also signed a deal with the fire sprinkler system so they could come and get that done,” he said.

Until the jail is reopened, Turner confirmed the county has signed an agreement with a neighboring county to house inmates.

“We signed a contract with Marengo County to be the place to house our inmates until the jail is open,” Turner said. “We signed that contract for 60 days.”

Moving forward

The confrontation has raised questions among citizens about communication and professionalism within the commission.

Kelsey said he hopes county leaders will move forward with more transparency.

“Chairman Turner needs to stop trying to hide things,” Kelsey said. “He needs to be honest. He needs to follow the rules.”

For now, county officials say work continues on the jail project — even as tensions remain visible inside commission chambers.

The next county commission meeting will be held on Feb. 24 at 5:30pm.

Not reading this story on the WSFA News App? Get news alerts FASTER and FREE in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store!