OK Commissioner claims 'threat' led him to request changes to public comment rules

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – There were fireworks at the Oklahoma County Commissioners’ Meeting on Wednesday, and it had nothing to do with the current situation with the jail.

Community members reacted to Commissioner Jason Lowe’s motion to restrict public comments during meetings.

Lowe listed six items as part of the motion.

He said they were to “maintain a positive environment for citizen input and decision-making.”

People attending the meeting reacted to the proposal.

"Our rights are being curtailed and being taken away piece by piece and bit by bit," said Mark Faulk, who frequents the commissioner meetings. "You cannot single out groups and tell them they're not allowed to speak publicly."

Community activist Sean Cummings also spoke against the motion.

"Why are you trying to control the conversation?" said Cummings. “Shame on you.”

After public comment on the motion was complete, Lowe dropped a bombshell.

"About a month ago, I had a town hall meeting, and during my town hall meeting, I was threatened," said Lowe.

He played a video from the town hall of an interaction with Cummings. Lowe said it was the reason for his agenda item.

In the video, Cummings can be heard saying, "I'm making an allegation. Sue me, I will take you to court. I will kill you. Literally."

Lowe called the comments a threat.

Cummings responded by saying he meant that he was going to “kill him in court” and that it was “not a threat.”

"Political violence is never acceptable," said Lowe during the meeting.

“It was not political violence. You are a liar," said Cummings in response. “I said, 'Take me to court. I'll kill you. In court. Take me to court. I'm not a liar.'"

After the meeting, Lowe said he stood by his feelings about the comments.

"That's unacceptable,” said Lowe. “We're here to do a job. We're here to serve the public. We should not be threatened and definitely should not be threatened to kill or be killed."

Cummings maintained he was not threatening Lowe’s life, only threatening to win against him in court.

Commissioners took the changes up for a vote, but the measure failed to pass because it did not receive a second from either Commissioner Myles Davidson or Commissioner Brian Maughan.

Both Davidson and Lowe are considered candidates for their position since they are up for re-election. If the motion had passed, Maughan, who is the Chair, would have had the authority to restrict their comments during the meeting.

Lowe told KFOR he filed a report with the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office.