AUGUSTA, Ga. () – For Augusta city leaders, it’s been building feelings about the Charter Review Committee, and those feelings spilling out.
“Putting the heat on the mayor and attorney Plunkett… it was uncalled for,” said Commissioner Catherine Smith Rice.
Commissioner Francine Scott is urging the mayor and attorney to clarify their involvement in the formation of the Charter Review Committee, which was established just over a year ago.
“I currently harbor doubts about this process and what the attorney is presenting. I understand there was a hurricane, but this situation is absurd,” stated Commissioner Scott.
Other commissioners expressing frustration with the Charter Review Committee process and how it came about.
“There was not enough transparency in the beginning, and when you lose that credibility, it goes out the window,” said Commissioner Tony Lewis.
Commissioner Tanya Barnhill Turnley, who was on the Charter Review Committee before her commission appointment in July, reminded her fellow commissioners that they all supported the resolution to establish it.
“It’s embarrassing and shameful that some commissioners now want to alter the process. It’s utterly unreasonable. The citizens of Augusta deserve better. We’ve had this charter for three decades,” said Commissioner Barnhill Turnley.
But after all the talk, commissioners made no motions so the process to change the city charter goes on.
