LAST WEEK: WHEN WILL SOUTHEAST DEKALB RESIDENTS GET LOCAL REPRESENTATION?
It’s been more than 18 months since residents of DeKalb County’s District 5 had a representative in county government. It was at that time that Gov. Nathan Deal appointed Commissioner Lee May as Interim CEO after Burrell Ellis was indicted on corruption charges. Ellis’ trial ended in a deadlock and won’t be heard again until June.
In the meantime, several attempts to fill May’s seat have failed. Many say it’s a political power struggle where those on the commission don’t want to diminish their strength with another member. Some say May needs to resign his seat so voters can pick his replacement. Nevertheless, southeast DeKalb residents are left without a voice in county government.
Here’s what readers had to say about the situation:
This is an issue that needs to be resolved without another month delay. Citizens within District 5 of Dekalb County are without representation. That being said, I recommend a strong action by the citizens.
Action: File a lawsuit asking that all actions of the Board of Commissioner be placed on hold until a commissioner is recommended and confirmed to represent District 5. Please keep media attention on this issue.
— Nancy Bailey
Its ridiculous that actions of the county commission and CEO has disenfranchised thousands of voters. The biggest problem in the county is the dysfunction of our leaders - children could do a better job. This needs to be resolved very soon or I think some lawsuits and ethics complaints need to be filed against all of the commissioners and CEO.
This horrible group seem determined to ruin DeKalb County. Its too bad Mike Bowers cannot investigate the county commission and it seems the investigation of the other commissions is moving too slow, so we are stuck with this bunch until the remainder are indicted or voted out.
— Jennifer Parks
District 5 residents are being harmed by “politics” within the Board of Commission. It is apparent that some on the Board of Commissioners are in no hurry to have another Commissioner whom they may feel could vote in the best interest of those represented. It is sad to say, but it appears to be an issue of the Northside verses the Southside, or representatives of majority white neighborhoods verses representatives of majority black neighborhoods. The residents of District 5 are being disenfranchised by such ridiculous shenanigans. It is unfair that some on the board and some residents are calling for Lee Mays to resign his District 5 seat to allow for the seat to be filled by special election. Just as the governor appointed May to the CEO post, there should be provisions for him to appoint someone to the post left vacant by that appointment.
— G. Dickerson
I thinks it’s absolutely ridiculous that we, the “tax paying” citizens of Southeast Dekalb County in District 5 have repeatedly vocalized how very unhappy we are about being overlooked and without representation.
Our elected officials have once again failed us! This is why we should strongly support splitting away from such a broken, dilapidated DeKalb County governmental system! Our only solution at this point is to support becoming the “City of Stronecrest!” At least then, we will be able to vote for people that are in fact “in our community” and hopefully, will not “just ignore our concerns” as the current county government has done for the last 21 months.
Lee May has also failed us, again! He obviously has an agenda. And it does not include satisfying those people who elected him as the District 5 Commissioner. His only concern is to “block” the commissioners seat that he thinks he may be able to “recoup” should Burrell Ellis be found “Innocent.” That’s a very selfish and uncaring attitude to have. But that’s very common!
— Charles Turk
The Stockbridge City Council publicly reprimanded Mayor Tim Thompson last month for his actions at a council meeting that led one council member to file a police complaint.
Various Atlanta broadcast media outlets covering the story played a video from City Hall in which someone can be heard screaming at others in a nearby conference room. Thompson was accused of being that person, allegedly threatening other council members.
Mayor Pro Tem Alphonso Thomas filed the complaint with the Henry County Police Department, which investigated the incident and brought it to a magistrate court but no warrant was issued.
In a March 18 special called meeting, the council unanimously passed a resolution charging that Thompson “engaged in behavior that was wholly unacceptable and inexcusable” that “brought great discredit and shame” to the city. It also stated that the council is concerned about the morale of city employees in light of the mayor’s actions and “wishes to make it clear that it does not condone or accept” those actions.
Concerns were raised that this was not an isolated incident and that the mayor has engaged in a pattern of “abusive, bullying, intimidating and threatening behavior” toward council members, according to the resolution.
Thompson was formally censured and the council requested that he undergo anger management counseling, showing within 30 days his progress in that regard. The council also authorized an investigation to determine if the mayor has violated the city charter.
What do you think? Was the council’s action fair? Did it go too far or not far enough? What do you think about the working relationship among Stockbridge’s elected officials? Send comments to communitynews@ajc.com.
About the Author
