Georgia Politics, Campaigns & Elections for July 29, 2013

Local Politics across Georgia

Attorney General Sam Olens and lawyers for Cumming Mayor H. Ford Gravitt were given until August 9th to agree to a resolution in a case arising after Gravitt prevented a citizen from videotaping a city council meeting allegedly in violation of the Georgia Open Meetings Act. Lawyers for Gravitt made a novel legal argument that the Mayor is protected by sovereign immunity.

Tallant contended that the Georgia Constitution stipulates that sovereign immunity can be waived only by an act of the state legislature.

However, Adamson questioned that theory since the case involves two governmental agencies.

“Cities, counties, authorities are subdivisions or agencies of the state. They are creations of the legislature of the state and they’re essentially subparts of that state,” [Judge] Adamson said.

“This is an action by a state agency against another state agency and a person acting within the responsibility of the authority of that sub-agency.”

[Gravitt’s attorney, Kevin] Tallant countered that sovereign immunity doesn’t come from the state legislature, but rather ultimately the people of Georgia.

“The city’s sovereign immunity comes from the constitution, which comes from the people of the state of Georgia that ratified it,” he said.

“That’s a key point … [the state] is not the genesis of that sovereign immunity.”

Kelly Campanella, the attorney who presented evidence on behalf of the Olens’ office, maintained that sovereign immunity doesn’t apply in this case.

“Sovereign immunity cannot be invoked by something that is a child of the state, a creation of the state,” Campanella said. “The state is sovereign to the city of Cumming, but Cumming is not the state’s sovereign. Conceptually it just doesn’t apply.”

Interim DeKalb County CEO Lee May addressed county employees to discuss his goals for the county government in the wake of his appointment by Gov. Deal while suspended CEO Burrell Ellis faces an indictment.

A City of Atlanta jobs program may be riddled with fraud according to WSB-TV’s report on a referral to federal authorities. Shocking. Really.

The Cobb County Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance requiring cameras at pawn shops and precious metal buyers. Police say it will help fight sales of stolen goods; opponents argued it invades citizens’ privacy.

The Cherokee County Board of Education will hire a hearing officer and court reporter for the upcoming ethics hearing against member Kelly Marlow. Details about the hearing will be decided at the August 15th Board meeting.

The City of Lookout Mountain, Ga has a full slate of elected officials again as David Fussell was appointed to City Council; the seat was opened after former Mayor Bill Glascock resigned and Council member Sandy Gothard became Mayor.

Governor Deal named Emmitt Nolan to the Brunswick City Commission to replace James Brooks, who was suspended in April after being indicted in Camden County on allegations of influence-peddling. Nolan said he will run for election to the seat in November.

The Carroll County Commission expects to keep the same millage rate as last year, and the Carroll County Board of Education indicate it will do the same. The BOE is also considering whether to fund an energy conservation program to reduce its bills; the plan would be paid off over 6-8 years.

The Cherokee County Commission rolled back the property tax millage rate to offset gains in assessed value of property in the county.

Celebrating Holly Springs residents did the chicken dance and beat their liberty drums after the city planning and zoning board voted to allow backyard chickens in residential areas.

Tomorrow night, Cagle’s Family Farm in Canton will host a candidate forum.

The voters turning out for the event at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday will hear updates from elected officials. Those who have already responded they will be in attendance include County Commissioners Harry Johnston and Brian Poole, State Court Judge Michelle Homier, Probate Judge Keith Wood and Solicitor General Jessica K. Moss, Pahl said.

Candidates speaking will be hopefuls for open seats on the Canton City Council, Woodstock City Council, U.S. Senate, Congress and the Board of Commissioners, Pahl said, adding that more candidates could RSVP before Tuesday.

Farris Yawn and John Rust have announced they will run for the Canton City Council seat held by John Beresford.

Tifton City Council is considering a pair of referenda for the November ballot that would allow liquor by the drink in restraurants on Sundays and Sunday sales of package sales.

The Cook County Airport Authority opened a new terminal built with state and local funds.

Hall County walked away from negotiations with the City of Lula on partnering to build sewer capacity for a new industrial park and will proceed on its own.

Chatham County Commission voted to move forward toward opening an employee health clinic in order to save money on healthcare costs; final approval could come next month.

After some wrangling with its municipalities who requested a 6-year term, the Haralson County Commission voted to place a 5-year SPLOST on the November ballot.

The Rome-Floyd County SPLOST advisory committee is close to finishing the list of projects for a SPLOST referendum likely to be on the November ballot. After they trim more funds from the $69 million wish list to meet the $63 million revenue projection, the list must be approved by the Cities of Rome and Cave Spring, and Floyd County.

Lowndes County and Valdosta are working to agree upon a SPLOST renewal to be placed on the November ballot while they argue in the state Supreme Court over how proceeds from the current SPLOST are apportioned.

Forsyth County School Superintendent Buster Adams agrees with the state’s decision to adopt its own tests rather than use the Common Core-linked PARCC.

Evans said the cost of was one of the top three reasons he’s happy with the decision.

“We need to be focusing more resources into the classroom and not on assessment,” Evans said.

In addition to the cost, Evans agreed with the state that not every county is equipped with the level of technology needed to take the online assessment test.

While Georgia is not on board with the PARCC, the state has adopted the Common Core standards, of which Evans said there are both good and bad features.

“A lot of times we get caught up in what we call things,” he said. “I think the fact is that there will be some good things that come out of it and if there are things that are not good … we don’t do them.

“I’ve often times been very leery of buying into one particular thing 100 percent.”