CEO meets with DeKalb mayors, but no public

It was a roomful of public officials but the public was not invited.

Mayors from most of the 10 cities in DeKalb County showed up at the Agnes Scott College campus Thursday for lunch with county CEO Burrell Ellis.

Ellis’ office had sent out news releases about the event to several media outlets, touting it as an opportunity to “engage in a meaningful dialogue.” Ellis campaigned on bringing “unity to the community.” He said the mayors meeting was his first forum for DeKalb leaders.

When reporters showed up to hear the powwow, Ellis’ shook hands and then ducked into the college president’s dining room, where the mayors were already assembled with their meals. Ellis’ staff then barred reporters from entering the room, saying Ellis and the mayors needed some private time.