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Commissioner Brown’s bid to add ouster/investigation of Mike Hodge fails amid questions about attorney absence
Summary
An amendment to add discussion of an investigation and potential ouster of Commissioner Mike Hodge failed after commissioners said it would be inappropriate to act without the county attorney; the full agenda was later approved.
Commissioner Brown moved to amend the agenda to add “the Alston charges or investigation on Mike Hodge,” but the amendment failed after commissioners questioned whether the county could properly discuss or act on the matter without the county attorney present.
The amendment was offered during the agenda-approval portion of the Coffee County Commission meeting. Commissioner Brown said the inquiry had “went on for an unreasonable amount of time” and urged the commission to decide whether to remove Commissioner Hodge or dismiss the matter. Commissioner Chambers seconded the amendment. Several commissioners, including one who raised parliamentary concerns, said it would be inappropriate to proceed without the county attorney, who the commission was told was in Southeast Asia.
“The amendment was to bring before the group discussion of the ouster proceedings of Commissioner Hodge,” a commissioner explained on the record. Other commissioners said they lacked the information necessary to act and that legal counsel should be present for an executive session or any substantive consideration. After debate, the chair reported the amendment failed on the roll call, 11 no, four yes.
A later exchange referenced a local news report: Commissioner Harshman said a handout in the crowd noted that the Manchester Times quoted the district attorney as saying “no crimes committed,” and he said he would remain after the meeting to listen to any evidence that others intended to present. Commissioners made clear on the record that, without counsel and without formal executive-session procedures, the body would not proceed to oust a member that night.
The commission returned to the main motion to approve the agenda, which passed 15–1. The meeting proceeded with other business and ended with an adjournment vote of 16–0.
Next steps: The failed amendment leaves the Hodge matter undetermined in this meeting; commissioners who spoke publicly asked for additional information and indicated the subject might be raised again with the county attorney present.
