We have high expectations of our elected officials and public servants, but they frequently fall short because they are also people like the rest of us. However, Jamie Lowe, the chairperson of the Lee County Democratic Party, wrote that Mayor Copeland was the cornerstone of Smiths Station.
Lowe continued, “We strongly condemn the use of hateful and discriminatory rhetoric to target the personal lives of individuals, whether they are private or public citizens.” “There are very real and life-altering consequences to the practice of demonizing each other because of personal life choices, which must end.”
Days after a string of posts by the website 1819 News, which was formerly under the ownership of the Alabama Policy Institute, Copeland passed away.
Copeland, a 49-year-old husband and father of three, was featured in pictures wearing women’s clothes and cosmetics.
The chief editor of 1819 News, Jeff Poor, did not respond to the criticism but instead sent this statement to AL.com:
“The people of Smiths Station, the members of First Baptist Church of Phenix City, and the victims and family of Mayor Copeland are in our thoughts and prayers.”
Regardless of how foolish his personal decisions may have been, Jones said, “it is sad and disgusting how he was treated by the 1819 News.” The self-righteous often throw the biggest stones in our cruel and bitter world, and the 1819 News is a prime example.
In 2016, Republican candidate for Congress from east Alabama, Larry DiChiara, expressed his sorrow and anger over Copeland’s passing while also offering encouragement and support to him after the posts were made public.
