Milledgeville City Council approves new ethics procedure
The council also hired an attorney to decide the new policy if two or more council members were accused of ethics violations.
The policy says that either a judge, attorney, or retired judge, that resides outside Baldwin County, will select the ethics committee to investigate the accusations.
“This still hits the core problem of the city council having influence or who investigates the ethics complaints,” resident Tripper Cook said.”We need to sit down with the council and make a fair decision together.”
During the council meeting the council voted five to one in support of the new procedure.
Councilman Walter Reynolds was the lone no vote and was denied a motion to table the decision before the vote.
“Some people will never be happy with anything and will always find fault,” resident Iva griffin said. “I think city council is doing a wonderful job and people just need to let them do their jobs.”
After the vote, opponents of the policy went outside and discussed their next move.
“Its time for us to protest,” resident Melba Burrell said. “Our best move is to protest outside of city hall and try to get more people involved on how corrupt city council has been in deciding this procedure.”
Although the city council made this decision, Georgia State Attorney General Sam Olens has the final decision on how ethics complaints will be handled.
Many residents stressed this point and believed the whole meeting was a waste of time because of Olens making the final decision.
Mayor Bentley was not at the meeting due to a severe illness.
He has asked Councilwoman Jeanette Walden to serve as his pro-temp, during his absence.
Milledgeville City Attorney Jimmy Jordan says that Bentley is currently in the intensive care unit, but in stable condition.
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