Mayor Whipple-Lue found not in contempt of court

GORDON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) -Judge Reeves ruled Gordon’s Mayor, Mary Ann Whipple-Lue, was not in contempt of court at a hearing on Thursday afternoon.

The hearing stemmed from a contempt of court motion filed by the “Concerned Citizens of Gordon.” The group claimed Mayor Whipple-Lue violated court ruling when she wrote a letter to the City Attorney, Joseph Boone, telling him his services were unwanted and he was removed from his position.

Mayor Whipple-Lue’s attorney argued there wasn’t a violation because the judge’s court order didn’t specifically name Boone as the City Attorney.

Judge Reeves agreed and he did not hold Mayor Whipple-Lue in contempt.

Wayne Kendall, Mayor Whipple-Lue’s attorney, said he plans to appeal this court order.

The attorney for the Concerned Citizens of Gordon, Devlin Cooper, doesn’t see the ruling as a loss. He believes this is a step forward because Judge Reeves is going to clarify some provisions in his original order. 

Judge Reeves says the revisions will include naming Boone as the City attorney and clarify the need for four councilmen votes to remove him from this position.

There is another lawsuit pending for both parties. The Concerned Citizens of Gordon have accused Mayor Whipple-Lue of violating the open meetings act. That trial is set to begin on December 15th.