Council member Cindy Patterson said during Tuesday’s meeting she would like to change the term “you people” to “citizens of Abingdon.”

Lowe said she did not mean anything derogatory and the phrase “you people” was simply the easiest way to address everyone present.

Lowe remained firm in her decision days later, saying she doesn’t “believe their First Amendment rights were violated. They have been on record for the last year with pretty much the same remarks.”

Lowe said she did not make the decision arbitrarily. She said she sat down with Kelly and town attorney Deb Icenhour before the meeting to discuss what should be done.

According to Lowe, she also contacted most of the other council members to alert them of her decision.

Council member Wayne Craig said that he received an email from Lowe before Labor Day that stated no discussion of The Meadows property would be heard during the meeting, but said she contacted him closer to the time of the meeting to tell him of the two agenda matters and to say that she would not let the public speak about The Meadows.