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Rome commissioners clash over committee appointments and approve two RDA nominees
Summary
A heated debate over how volunteers are chosen for city boards dominated the June 8 meeting; after extended discussion about process fairness and whether nominees had submitted applications, the commission approved two appointments to the Rome Redevelopment Agency.
A prolonged dispute over the city’s process for placing volunteers on boards and commissions marked the Rome City Commission’s June 8 meeting, culminating in approval of two nominees to the Rome Redevelopment Agency.
Commissioner Beaman challenged the way the city fills volunteer positions, saying the current practice is “unfair,” “biased,” and “inconsistent,” and pressed colleagues to explain how candidates were selected. Beaman asked for a clearer, transparent procedure and said residents who submitted applications had been bypassed.
“Some of the people who put in applications have been bypassed,” Commissioner Beaman said during the discussion. She urged the commission to ensure an equal opportunity process for volunteers.
Commissioner Collins defended the existing practice, saying the committee on committees had brought the two names forward and that chairs sometimes exercise procedural options allowed under Robert’s Rules. “If the commission as a whole wants to change the process, I would say that we go through a discussion and you get five votes and change the process,” Collins said.
The discussion included repeated questions about whether specific nominees had completed volunteer applications and whether committee chairs improperly advanced names. Several commissioners said the appearance of favoritism — a “good old boy” system — was a concern even if not intentional.
After extended debate the commission held a roll-call vote and approved the nominations. The clerk recorded the affirmative votes and the mayor declared the motion passed; the two nominees were appointed to the Rome Redevelopment Agency.
The commission did not adopt a new selection procedure during the meeting. Commissioners suggested that any change would require formal discussion and a majority vote at a future meeting.
