Published Thursday, July 29, 2010

Grantville councilwoman unhappy about notification on chief's departure

By Jeff Bishop

The Newnan Times-Herald

Councilwoman Selma Coty let it be known at this week's Grantville City Council meeting that she did not appreciate being one of the last ones to know about the resignation of former Grantville Police Chief Franklin Allen.

"This is a point of inquiry," she said to lead off the meeting. "Why were we not informed of this in a more timely manner?"

Allen told the mayor that he is leaving the city to take a job as the police chief for the city of Jonesboro. Allen submitted his letter of resignation Friday, and it became effective immediately.

Allen has been with the department since 2006.

Mayor Casey Houston said she planned on bringing up the chief's resignation at the council meeting.

"Who was appointed as acting chief?" asked Coty.

The lieutenant is second in command, so he would be technically in charge in the chief's absence, Houston said -- but it would be up to the council to officially appoint a replacement.

Coty then refused to approve one set of minutes due to the fact that it "wasn't clear what happened in that meeting."

"I cannot approve those minutes," she said.

Coty said she tried to make a motion during the recent called meeting, and the minutes do not reflect what her motion said.

"That's the point of having an open meeting," said Coty.

Houston said that since the meeting in question was a called meeting, therefore only the approved, announced and advertised agenda items could be discussed.

"The minutes as they are right now are misleading," said Coty. "They are not clear."

"Your motion never got to be made," said Houston. "If it had, it would have been illegal. I don't think it needs to go in the minutes."