A city of Newberry commissioner is under fire after a newspaper article alleging improper behavior, racism, and possible homophobia has some citizens calling for Rick Coleman to step down.

Nevertheless, Coleman's supporters outnumbered those speaking against him at a city commission meeting tonight.

"I am here to call for the resignation of Ricky Coleman"

Shelby Powell started his public comments with those words. He's the man who has accused Commissioner Coleman of threats to him and his wife over the phone after he sought to get speed tables installed in his neighborhood.

"We heard Commissioner Coleman threaten to kick my f-ing teeth in. It became very clear to me if somebody would talk to me that way, he would talk to other people that way. So within one day, I found 9 other people who had all experienced very similar things, kicking teeth in seems to be a favorite past time of Commissioner Coleman."

Other concerned citizens also spoke up asking for the Commissioner's resignation.

"As a single mom, I'm not going to be put in a situation where I'm going to have my teeth kicked in by anybody."

"I see five commissioners on this board unfortunately only 4 of them meet the qualities for this position. nowhere does racism, bigotry, demeaning people or threatening to kick people's teeth in fit in the civility or quorum of a public office."

These voices however made up the minority of public comments as many also stood up to defend Commissioner Coleman.

"Mr. Mayor, you know I support Rick and I hope he doesn't want to step down because I think he's been a good commissioner and he says what he thinks, he doesn't hide his feelings, you might like it or you don't but at least he says what he's going to say."

"I've never heard him use the language he's being accused of personally and I've had conflict with him."

Newberry Mayor Jordan Marlowe says many of the incidents Commissioner Coleman is accused of have been a part of public records from before he was even elected.

"This is a town who appreciates an elected official who will speak his mind, doesn't mince words, isn't very worried about political correctness and I think you saw that here tonight."

Commissioner Coleman declined an interview but off camera denied most of the allegations and has not stepped down from his position.