Commission could take up judge's threats behind closed doors

Fulton County commissioners, some of whom are prone to lengthy diatribes when they feel slighted, might keep their remarks about a federal judge's threats to lock them up in federal prison between themselves on Wednesday, when they meet for the first time since U.S. District Judge Marvin Shoob gave them 60 days to enter into a binding contract with Atlanta to purchase the city jail.

Chairman John Eaves said he wants to talk about relieving jail overcrowding during the open meeting, but discussing Shoob's order threatening to incarcerate them should be done in closed session. The law allows secret meetings to discuss real estate acquisitions, he noted.