LAST WEEK: CAN STOCKBRIDGE CITY GOVERNMENT WORK TOGETHER?
Recent controversy in Stockbridge involves Mayor Tim Thompson’s outburst in a city council meeting that sparked a police investigation and a censure. The council directed Thompson to seek anger management counseling, citing a pattern of “abusive, bullying, intimidating and threatening behavior” toward council members. An investigation was also authorized to determine whether Thompson has violated the city charter.
We asked readers to weigh in.
Here is what some had to say:
Knowing Tim for some time, I'm sure the council provoked, deserved and overacted to whatever if anything Tim said or did. — Mark Williamson
I am the former city clerk of the city of Stockbridge and I wholeheartedly agree that Mayor Thompson’s behavior has been inexcusable since the day he and the other new council were illegally sworn in to office at the end of December 2013. The city charter was violated with the meeting on Jan. 3, 2014 as the charter clearly states that the first meeting of the new year is to be held the second Monday in January and the swearing in of any newly elected officials is to be done by the city clerk at that meeting. There are other items as well but we won’t overwhelm the readers.
This was a time bomb waiting to go off and frankly I am surprised that this did not happen before now. We had things so good in 2013 and the city was moving in the right direction with Mayor Alarcon and City Manager David Milliron. Our staff was of the highest caliber and the future was very bright for the economy and businesses of Stockbridge. I am sorry all of this happened and my prayers are with the people of the city and the remaining staff.
— Rhonda A. Blackmon
The Stockbridge situation is apalling. Tim Thompson was known to have major anger management problems before he was elected to the position. Since becoming elected, he has bullied and intimidated, and violated numerous laws. This started with him being sworn in before he could take office, in violation of the charter.
He “perp-walked” the former city clerk out of the building for nothing more than having been hired by the prior council.
All of the current council members except for Robin Buschman are puppets of the disgraced former Mayor Lee Stuart. In concert, this city has done absolutely nothing but sue itself and fight since Thompson, Ford, and Gantt took office. Although an investigation of the mayor is a step in the right direction, the city needs to replace everyone in its elected offices except for Robin Buschman (the lone holdout from the last council) and Regina Ward, who seems to get it. Buschman is the only leader that the city has right now, and the rest should step aside.
— camaris1@aol.com
Monroe Roark for the AJC
The partial redevelopment of the Castle Lake Mobile Home Park in Kennesaw has a tangled tale of residents, property owners and developers. The Kennesaw City Council recently approved a plan by Fuqua Acquisitions, LLC for redeveloping 52 acres of the park at 1650 Cobb Parkway at Barrett Parkway.
In February 2014, this acreage was annexed by Kennesaw for a $150 million development. A retail site of 305,000 square feet, with Whole Foods as the anchor, and 180 apartments for ages 55 and older are planned but not for Section 8 and not for multi-family.
During the relocation period beginning later this month, Fuqua will offer relocation assistance to 118 homeowners as they move their mobile homes with individual negotiations. However, some residents of the mobile home park have voiced their concerns to city officials. Kennesaw Mayor Mark Mathews said these residents “cannot be displaced from their homes automatically.” Castle Lake residents said they don’t have the financial means to move in the manner proposed.
Owners of several trailers spoke to the AJC and said they were offered $8,000 to walk away from their trailers. They have also been offered moving expenses.
But one said it’s complicated: “We have to move out, store our stuff and get a hotel, at our expense, and then turn in our receipts. If I had that kind of money, we wouldn’t be living here in the first place.
The mayor said the residents were caught “in limbo” between the owners of the mobile home park and the developers, which haven’t finalized the sale or its plans with the city.
Once the deal is closed — it could be a few weeks — residents will have two months to pack up and leave. What do you think? Is all fair in the name of progress? Share your opinion by email at communitynews@ajc.com.
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