DeKalb: Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary has cancer, temporarily steps down

Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary said he is stepping away from the job for a couple of months to focus on receiving treatment for cancer.

He made the announcement during a City Council meeting on Monday night. It came after a tense exchange with council members over how the SPLOST program will be managed. The council delayed a vote on three items over Lary’s objections.

The mayor soon after made a short speech from a podium at the front of the room.

“I need time to get healthy, I need time to take the treatment and I need to be able to do that without being extremely aggravated,” he said. 

Lary left the room and did not return to the meeting.

The city’s spokesman said the cancer is “manageable” but requires the mayor’s attention.

“As with any cancer treatment, it’s serious,” Adrion Bell said. “Rest is required and he’s going to have to adhere to doctor’s orders.”