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Resident presents petition to remove Carter County mayor; commissioners debate accountability and attendance
Summary
A resident served County Attorney Josh Hardin with a petition seeking removal of Mayor Patty Woodby; public commenters and commissioners criticized the mayor’s absence and debated censuring motion, which was later withdrawn.
During public comment at the Jan. 21 Carter County commission meeting, resident James Byrd presented a petition asking County Attorney Josh Hardin to remove Mayor Patty Woodby under statute code §8-47-101-108, saying he had collected the required signatures and served the petition on the attorney.
Multiple speakers criticized the mayor’s absence and the pace of decision-making in the recovery response. Lawarence Street raised concerns about communications gaps that left first responders unable to communicate from parts of the county. Commissioner Nancy Brown said she was "embarrassed" the mayor did not attend and said she felt Mayor Woodby had "let them down."
Commissioner Danny Deal moved to censure the mayor on the commission floor but withdrew the motion after County Attorney Josh Hardin advised that specifics relating to a threatened or pending lawsuit should not be discussed in open session. The attorney said legal specifics would be handled in the executive session. No formal censure or removal vote occurred at the meeting.
Attorney Hardin also summarized proposed changes to the tourism/Chamber of Commerce contract and said the contract discussion would be tabled to the next month’s meeting.
