Judge recommends Gordon citizens and mayor reach compromise

PERRY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Judge Robert Reeves recommended the Concerned Citizens of Gordon and Mayor Mary Ann Whipple-Lue reach a compromise in their case, before he rules one for them.

A hearing Tuesday at Wilkinson County Superior Court ended after several witnesses gave their testimony in the case, with both lawyers having the opportunity to cross examine. 

Reeves says the group has until August 2 to reach an agreement, which is also the date Whipple-Lue’s second temporary restraining order ends. 

“I would like to see a resolution short of the court having to remove the Mayor from office or impose civil penalties, so I welcome the opportunity to speak with Mr. Kendall about some settlement,” says Devlin Cooper, the Concerned Citizens’ lawyer.

Whipple-Lue’s lawyer, Wayne Kendall says he would also like to reach a compromise. 

“There’s always a possibility if two parties can get together and settle or litigate a matter…It’s always better to litigate, and we’re open to that,” says Kendall.

“I just feel like the situation will take care of itself,” says Whipple-Lue.

Mayor Pro-Tem Terry Eady was called to the witness stand. 

He says the mayor caused irreparable harm to the citizen’s of Gordon after she alienated volunteers, destroyed building locks and lost the city insurance coverage.

Kendall argued Eady’s examples were not “irreparably harming” the city of Gordon.

Eady adds Whipple-Lue also caused damaged to the moral of the community, causing racial tensions to increase. 

Whipple-Lue hired auditor Bill Baskett in January who testified his concerns with the city’s finances.

“She just wanted a clean start,” says Baskett. 

Baskett claims inconsistency in a Georgia Power for $37,000 from October 2012 to January 2014. 

He adds there have also been more than six transfers of $50,000 to $70,000 from the city’s Georgia One Fund going into its money market account.

Baskett says he’s highly concerned, and is still curious whether or not someone is pocketing the funds.

After Baskett’s testimony, Kendall questioned the Director of the Wilkinson County Development Authority, Jonathan Jackson.

Jackson says he spoke with Whipple-Lue earlier this year about an event space he wanted to use. Whipple-Lue placed him on speakerphone, but after the conversation both parties were still on the line.

Jackson overheard Whipple-Lue’s conversation with three council members.

Kendall asks Jackson, “Did you think it was okay to stay on the phone for 10 minutes during a private conversation?”

Jackson claims he listened in on the conversation, in which the mayor and council members discussed the city attorney, engineer and police chief.  

Reeves made comments about both parties presentations, saying both groups need more time to collect evidence before he can make a ruling, unless the group came a settlement on their own.

During closing arguments, Cooper says he’s presented the case based on evidence he’s collect and witnesses he’s questioned, but would not be ready for a trail on August 1. 

Reeves canceled the August 1 trial date, and plans to set a new date in October or September.