Employees accuse Lucama town commissioner of racial slurs, creating hostile work environment

Four town employees in Lucama have accused a town commissioner with using racial slurs and creating a hostile work environment.

Patricia Uzzell is a town commissioner in Lucama. Elected in 2017, she's the first African American to serve on the board and was recently the town's interim mayor.

She provided WRAL with a letter, signed by the town employees and herself. The names were blotted out because the employees want to remain anonymous. In it, the letter says in mid-October, commissioner David Johnson met with two white employees and used the "N" word "numerous times" when talking about two black employees and Uzzell.

In another letter, dated April of this year, a white employee described hearing Johnson repeatedly call Uzzell the "N" word.

"If we have a commissioner and he feels this way about the people, to me, you have no place on the board," Uzzell said.

One commissioner even resigned, saying she can't serve with a board member who speaks that way. Brenda Blalock told WRAL she refuses to "sit on that board with people who say this." She declined an on-camera interview with WRAL.

One black employee who signed the October letter asked that we not show his face or give his name. He was not among those who say they heard Johnson use the "N" word.

"I haven't heard him say anything racist other than that about monkeys running the show," the employee said. "Once he said that, I walked away to keep from saying anything.

"It's basically like walking on eggshells. I'm trying not to say anything out of the way to anybody. Cause I'm not that type of person. I'm a people person.

"It kind of made me feel out of place. Whenever I'm around him, I feel uncomfortable, because something might slip. He might say the 'N' word."

Johnson is also the fire chief in Lucama. His son, Jeff Johnson, is the newly-elected mayor. The mayor said he's not ready to comment on the allegations.

We also tried to speak with the commissioner, going to his home, calling his number and leaving a message with his son. WRAL did not hear back.

Johnson did make a comment to the Wilson Times on Dec. 20, saying: "Somebody is spreading this stuff on me. I am fed up with it. I didn't say it."

Meanwhile, Uzzell has sent the letters to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Uzzell says the issue has been discussed in a closed-door meeting with commissioners and that Johnson has denied using the language.

Uzzell said the EEOC in Raleigh will discuss the matter on Feb. 12.