Clayton voter-mandated reforms under siege? | www.myajc.com

Two years ago, Clayton County voters chose a commission chairman who campaigned on the promise of increased transparency, more professionalism and renewed accountability in local government.

Jeff Turner, former Clayton police chief, saw his election as a mandate for change, and he didn’t hesitate. He fired the county manager and ordered an independent financial audit of the county’s nearly two dozen departments. He moved the public comment period from the end of commission meetings to the beginning. He brought in two new top administrators — one to oversee the county’s finances, the other to run day-to-day operations.

For a while, the momentum seemed unstoppable. Then he started to run into roadblocks. Some of his decisions were unexpectedly reversed by members of the commission, and the board has split over key appointments. In recent months, the divide, which often breaks down into a 3-2 vote, appears to have only deepened, culminating with last month’s firing of the chief operating officer.

Arrelle Anderson, one of Turner’s crucial hires, was abruptly fired. The commission voted 3-2 last week to replace her with a veteran county administrator who has found himself at odds with Turner in the past.

Alex Cohilas, who served as chief of staff and the county’s fire chief before retiring in 2010, reported to work Wednesday — less than 24 hours after commissioners sparred over whether to hire him. His contract is for six month. He will earn about $65,000 during that time.

Cohilas’ swift return to Clayton government is seen by some as a way to undermine Turner.

“This reeks of a takeover,” the Rev. Jeff Benoit told the commissioners last week during their meeting. Shortly after his comments, Benoit said, he was ushered out of the building by five police officers for being “unruly.”

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