Brookhaven mayor and council addressed the possible ethical issues last month concerning Councilman Bates Mattison’s acceptance of the job of executive director of the Brookhaven Innovation Academy.
The city asked and received the opinion of the independent attorney, Randall Bentley, who stated that Councilman Mattison is not required by law to step down from either his seat on the city council or his job of executive director of the BIA, but that he should recuse himself from any discussion or vote concerning the BIA.
In a response to the 14-page opinion, Brookhaven Mayor Rebecca Chase Williams stated, “I’m glad we have this opinion and I hope it clears the air. It has given us good guidance going forward. I think it was well worth it to vet this issue and provide answers to council and our residents, as we are dedicated to operating in the most ethical and transparent manner possible.”
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