Southeast DeKalb remains without a representative
The DeKalb County Commission again failed Tuesday to confirm a temporary representative for 140,000 residents in the southeast portion of the county who have gone without a commissioner for 16 months.
The board remained at an impasse over Interim CEO Lee May’s appointment of George Turner four months ago.
Commissioner Nancy Jester, who was sworn into office Monday, didn’t break the stalemate. She abstained from voting, saying she needed more time to make a decision. Turner’s confirmation failed on a 2-2 vote.
Supporters of Turner, an involved community member, said the inaction was denying residents of a voice.
“It’s been far too long for the 5th district to be unrepresented, ” said Commissioner Sharon Barnes Sutton. “It’s disgraceful.”
But Commissioner Jeff Rader said he didn’t want May to be able to name his own replacement. May was appointed by Gov. Nathan Deal in July 2013 to replace suspended CEO Burrell Ellis, who faces corruption charges.
Rader called for May to resign his seat and trigger a special election.
“It’s imperative that we have an election to fill this seat,” Rader said. “Both sides remain intransigent.”
About the Author
Mark Niesse is an enterprise reporter and covers elections and Georgia government for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and is considered an expert on elections and voting. Before joining the AJC, he worked for The Associated Press in Atlanta, Honolulu and Montgomery, Alabama. He also reported for The Daily Report and The Santiago Times in Chile.
