Business owner accuses mayor of assault, trespassing
Published 12:00 am Friday, November 30, 2007
By Justin Averette & Ashley Vansant / Staff Writers
CALERA – A business owner says she intends to file charges of assault and trespassing against Mayor George Roy following an incident Wednesday night.
Kimberly Kaye Waldrop, owner of the Curves fitness center on U.S. 31, claims Roy was burning leaves on property leased by her business. An argument ensued when she went to put out the fire, Waldrop said.
The 38-year-old said she was assaulted when the mayor tried to grab a bucket of water she was carrying, twisted her wrist and pushing her backward.
“I never laid a hand on her,” said Roy, 79. “I’ve burned leaves there for the past 35 years. She’s confused. She thinks that’s her property, but it’s not.”
Roy, whose Calera home is next door to the Curves location, said the property where he was burning leaves belongs to the owner of a nearby carwash. Roy said he was familiar with the property boundaries because he formerly owned the land leased by Curves.
Calera police filed a report around 5 p.m. Wednesday. Alleged offenses listed on the report were third-degree criminal trespassing and third-degree assault, both misdemeanors.
No suspects are listed in the report and no formal charges have been brought against Roy.
Waldrop said she would “absolutely” pursue the case further. After speaking with an attorney Friday, she said she intends to file charges Monday.
“I’m not letting it go,” Waldrop said. “I’m not scared.”
Waldrop said she believes Calera police may have responded differently because the mayor was involved.
“The officers refused to do anything or ask him to leave the property,” she said.
Roy said outside agencies were brought in to guarantee no preferential treatment was given.
“Of course, we turned the case over to the county where she could not say we were covering up here in the city,” Roy said.
Repeated phone calls to Calera Police Chief Sean Lemley were not returned Friday.
“As far as I’m concerned, this was an incident that should have never happened,” Roy said