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Resident at county meeting accuses leaders of mismanagement; chairman denies wrongdoing
Summary
At the Nov. 12 commission meeting, Warren Williams accused county leaders of mismanagement, retaliation and cronyism; Chairman Charles Coffey denied the specific allegations and said homestead exemptions require written requests.
Warren Williams, identifying himself as a representative of many county residents, used the public-comment period at the Unified Government of Cusseta-Chattahoochee County’s Nov. 12 meeting to accuse county leaders of mismanagement and retaliation.
"A dark cloud hangs over us," Williams said, adding that citizens feel ignored and disrespected and that the county has been "laughed at." He alleged selective enforcement and favoritism in hiring, saying "people are hiring friends and family," and claimed a targeted tax-assessor visit after he asked to be placed on the agenda.
Commissioner Damon Hoyte responded publicly to Williams’ allegations, saying he would investigate reports that Facebook comments had been removed and that retaliation would not be tolerated. Hoyte said some matters raised required responses from other officials.
Chairman Charles Coffey addressed the allegations directly during the meeting. Coffey denied any tax-fraud or multiple-homestead wrongdoing and explained that, "to request for a homestead you have to request in writing and he has only ever done so on one piece of property," adding that an assessor-detected error affected multiple properties. Coffey also denied having relatives on the county payroll and said he serves the county because he cares for the community.
The minutes record that the commission later entered executive session to discuss legal matters and reconvened without votes being taken. The record shows an appeal tied to a separate sign-related lawsuit involving Commissioner Hoyte is scheduled for Dec. 6, and a public hearing related to SPLOST was rescheduled for Dec. 3.
What happens next: Commissioners said they would investigate procedural complaints raised about the county Facebook page and other claims made during public comment. The commission’s next regular meeting on Dec. 3 is noted in the minutes as the next opportunity for public input on some of the items discussed.
