KM posts statements on misinformation, agenda 'leak', turns comments off

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent

File photo graphic | The Shelby Independent

Kings Mountain – The City Kings Mountain government spoke out on what was potentially the possible, alleged, Scott Neisler censure proceedings currently in motion, but that remains uncertain at this time. This was followed a couple of hours later by another post about the leaking of the agenda for the upcoming April 14 meeting.

Around end of business, on Friday April 10, City of Kings Mountain Manager Todd Carpenter released a statement on social media, warning of misinformation being circulated online, but never addressing any specific examples, nor in regard to what topic(s) in the statement. This was followed by another post, a couple of hours later about the agenda being released to the public, before it should have been released. However, once it is sent to elected officials via government email(s) it becomes public information.

The first statement posted on Facebook, which had the comments turned off at time of publication of this news story, began by addressing the need to publish the forewarning that the city will “address and correct false information circulating within our community.” It was also noted that the social media post was made due to “necessity-not preference” and addressed that it was required for the “health and safety” of the community.

The second paragraph stated that it was not about limiting anyone’s voice, however, the post itself had comments turned off.  

Here is the statement in-full:

(Continued below....)

“This message is being issued out of necessity-not preference. The health and safety of our community; the City's ability to effectively conduct public business; and the reputations of dedicated public servants, and this organization, are being compromised by the continued spread of misinformation and false narratives.

This is not about limiting anyone's voice. It is about ensuring that truth, accuracy, and accountability remain at the forefront of public discourse.

Accordingly, the City of Kings Mountain will begin issuing formal statements of fact to directly address and correct false or misleading information circulating within our community.

We have an obligation to protect the integrity of our operations and the trust placed in us by this community.

That obligation requires us to respond when misinformation threatens to undermine both.

We remain committed to serving Kings Mountain with professionalism, honesty, and respect.

- Todd Carpenter, City Manager”

While no comments were allowed on the post, people across social media began sharing it and discussing it, sharing their opinions on various other accounts.

Some social media commenters, who are verified residents of Kings Mountain, expressed their disappointment at the statement that did not provide any examples of misinformation, only asking the public to be weary of such comments.

On the Facebook page “Kings Mountain Unites,” a post that The Shelby Independent was tagged on, one user wrote, in part, “… The city wants to be accountable BUT residents remain without water they can drink, cook and bathe with! … none of you even know what the word accountability means and that is VERY clear…”

Another commenter noted the comments were turned off on the official post on the City of Kings Mountain’s Facebook post, “And the commenting is turned off…” and another person also mentioned this, adding, “I tried to leave a comment under their post. No commenting.”

Another person said, “That’s a weak move to turn comments off when you’re saying you’re going to debunk comments!”

Other commenters expressed their thoughts, noting lack of transparency and were only left with more questions than answers, of how the city could debunk misinformation when they wouldn’t site any specific comments made.

Another user noticed the official post was made “out of necessity- not preference” quoting part of the first sentence but adding their own “?” at the end of the sentence.

One commenter stated, “Of course it had to be a late Friday post with comments turned off. Shows how afraid of the citizens they really are.”

Due to the unclear official statement posted by the Kings Mountain City Manager, which never stated what misinformation was being addressed, The Shelby Independent did reach out to the city manager for additional explanation at 6:26 p.m., Friday, but he couldn’t be reached for comment.

However, that wasn't the end of it.

A couple of hours after the first social media post signed by Carpenter, another Facebook post followed. This one addressed the actual agenda that was "leaked" to the public.

In a post title 'Council Meeting Agenda Package Review and Release,' it stated, in-full, "In accordance with best practice and to allow City Councilmembers adequate time to review, the proposed agenda package is delivered to Council to their City issued email address on Thursday afternoon or Friday morning prior to the regular meetings. This allows members time to review and get clarification on items prior to the package being made public. Full agenda packages are posted to the City's website for public view on the City Council page by 5 p.m. on Friday before the regular meeting.

Late Thursday evening on April 9, 2026, a copy of the agenda for the meeting of Tuesday, April 14, 2026, was posted to the Kings Mountain Unites Facebook page. At the time the agenda was posted to Kings Mountain Unites, it had been provided only to Council and was not yet intended for public view."

However, although stated by the official city government's Facebook page, this isn't entirely correct, and could, itself, be considered misinformation.

Under most state public records laws, a meeting agenda emailed to a council member via government email is considered a public record, as it is a document received in connection with the transaction of public business. As soon as an email is received by the council member in their official capacity, it becomes a public record subject to inspection.

There are certain examples where this does not apply completely, but the agenda itself is rarely exempt. If the email includes a confidential attachment, such as an email from a city attorney that is privileged or a personnel matter, that specific portion might be confidential and redacted.

Technically, anyone who possessed, shared and read the agenda for the Kings Mountain City Council, was legally allowed to do so, regardless of what the City of Kings Mountain may say, or threaten to do, otherwise.

Again, due to the timeframe of this information, the city manager couldn't be reached for comment.

This is a developing story. Check The Shelby Independent for any updates.

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Chuck Thompson is a reporter and columnist for The Shelby Independent. 

The Shelby Independent.