Outburst takes up most of otherwise normal Quincy City Council meeting

QUINCY — Jason Priest has spoken before the Quincy City Council before, usually talking about nothing that pertains to the meeting at hand.

But at Monday night’s meeting, Priest became more outspoken as he was complaining to Mayor Mike Troup that he wasn’t being allowed in the Adams County Courthouse.

On December 22, Judge Robert Adrian issued a restraining order keeping Priest off the grounds of the Courthouse. Priest has been arrested numerous times for peace disturbance and disorderly conduct, including incidents at Quincy High School and Quincy Junior High School.

Troup calmly told Priest that he did not have jurisdiction over the Courthouse.

Priest then claimed “they” had gotten to Troup, insulted Corporation Counsel Lonnie Dunn for saying the pre-meeting prayer, said the Adams County Sheriff wasn’t elected, talked about Afghan children going to bed hungry, and went on a profanity-laced tirade that led to near blows with an alderman.

You can listen to Priest’s full speech here, which starts about 30 seconds into the recording. If you are offended by cursing, don’t listen.

You can also watch on the City of Quincy’s Facebook page, if you have Facebook, of course.

Alderman Jack Holtschlag (D-7th Ward) was visibly upset with Priest and the two men approached each other before police stepped in. Holtschlag left the meeting.

Priest has a court date set for January 14 before Judge Tad Brenner regarding a Class A Misdemeanor for trespassing on state land. He has another appearance on January 27 before Judge Deb Wellborn on a peace disturbance case.

Priest remained outside Quincy City Hall following his removal, yelling and cursing at people as they left the building. He apparently rode a bicycle to the meeting in single-digit temperatures and did so while wearing a dress.

Regarding actual City of Quincy business, aldermen:

• Approved a special permit for a liquor license in order to serve alcohol and operate video gaming machines at 2634-2638 Broadway.
• Approved a special permit to operate the Alibi Bar as a night club at 500 York. This would be the sixth business to receive nightclub designation, which is the maximum allowed in the City per the new ordinance.
• Approved a subdivision at 3237-3424 Quincy Mall, or the southwest corner of the intersection of 36th and College/Columbus Road.
• Renewed the current Home Rule Purchase Tax rate and maintain the city’s current Home Rule Purchase Tax rate of 1.5 percent.
• Renewed the current Hotel Tax rate and maintain the current Hotel Tax rate of 8 percent.

Alderman Mike Farha (R-4th Ward) was absent.