COHUTTA, Ga. — UPDATE:
The Cohutta Town Council voted to reinstate the Cohutta Police department that had previously been dissolved Wednesday by the order of Mayor Ron Shinnick.
Dozens of people packed the Town Hall today, demanding answers for the ongoing controversy surrounding the police department and the mayor’s political future.
Now that the department is reinstated, there are new limits on what they mayor is able to do.
“We are going to pass an emergency ordinance prohibiting the mayor from disbanding the police department or officer.” said Vice Mayor Shane Kornberg. “Officers without action of the town council for the next 30 days.”
After that, County Attorney Bryan Rayburn says the council can take up this issue again.
Councilmembers say they stepped in after finding the town’s charter wasn’t followed when Mayor Shinnick dissolved the police department.
The charter mandates the Mayor alert the town council at least 30 days before an employee is let go. The document also requires the Mayor to provide a clear reason for the employee’s termination.
As tensions rose during Friday night’s meeting, the council announced Mayor Shinnick had left the meeting and did not intend on returning.
The meeting also had technical issues, with the power even going out at one point.
Vice Mayor Kornberg eventually took over the meeting after announcing Mayor Shinnick had left, leaving the remaining agenda tabled indefinitely.
Rayburn says the focus now shifts on getting officers back to work and on patrol again.
Residents we heard from say the top priority is clean:
“We want to have the ability to have a police department that can respond to our needs,” said Larry Green “Respond to us if we get into emergency.”
This is a developing story. Depend on us as we learn more.
EARLIER:
The Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office is now handling calls for the town.
Now, the town councilmembers are considering whether to fire the Mayor and reinstate the police department.
The council entered an executive session to discuss legal parameters around the termination of the department shortly after the meeting began.
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This is a developing story. Depend on us as we learn more.