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Resident calls for correction after councilmember's prior remarks; city hears request during public comment
Summary
During public comment, Pamela White called remarks made by a councilmember at a prior meeting defamatory and asked that her name be redacted from public records; Alita Farmer also spoke about the city's earlier outreach about alternate routes. No formal council action on the redaction request was taken at the meeting.
At the start of the Nov. 11 Villa Rica City Council meeting, residents used the public-comment period to press elected officials on prior remarks and proposed procedural changes.
Alita Farmer said she and others have been advocating to preserve their historic neighborhood and that the city previously approached her about an alternative route. "I want you to be aware that the council as well as the interim city manager approached me..." Farmer said, placing the earlier matter on the public record.
Pamela White directly addressed remarks made by a councilmember at a previous meeting that she described as an insinuation suggesting she and Farmer sought money from the city. "That implied that we were trying to profit or seek money from the city, which is completely false, misleading, and it's defamatory," White said, and she formally requested that her name be redacted from any public record or meeting minutes associated with those remarks and that a public correction be issued.
Councilmember Montahan later addressed the comments during council updates and characterized the public's recollection of prior remarks as inconsistent with tax assessor values cited during the earlier exchange. Montahan framed his earlier questions as part of scrutiny and legal training consistent with his role rather than an allegation of wrongdoing.
The council did not take formal action on White's request for redaction or correction during the meeting; no order or vote addressing minutes or video corrections was recorded.
