Clarkston’s ethics committee is weighing a complaint that the city’s mayor used his own consulting firm to help a city business with code enforcement problems.
The complaint against Mayor Emanuel Ransom stems from his representation of Talar’s International Foods after a city code worker cited the firm for expanding without permits last year.
Ransom said he did not profit financially when he emailed the city manager asking for time to resolve the matter. But some residents question his use of being “retained” in that email, saying it looks like he took money, even if he didn’t.
“The citizens who have seen this email think it is clearly inappropriate,” said Sonny Knox, a resident who filed the complaint. “There should have been red flags.”
In a recent two-hour hearing before the ethics committee, Ransom said the number of immigrants in the city means more business owners need help understanding local laws. The federal government uses the small DeKalb County city as a refugee relocating site, and many of the town’s businesses are owned by people new to the country.
“I used some words I shouldn’t have but basically it was to help one of our business owners,” Ransom said. “I never made a cent.”
City Manager Keith Barker said the mayor’s email did not result in any favorable treatment. However, Barker said the code enforcement officer who issued the warning has since been fired, over a candidate he described as better qualified for the position.
The grocery at the center of the issue, meanwhile, remains out of code compliance. Talar’s remains open while working with the city’s code office.
The ethics committee is expected to issue a written determination in the case by week’s end. Its recommendation will be sent to the city council for action such as a reprimand.
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