Cusseta–Chattahoochee commissioners confirm leadership, honor longtime official

The Board of Commissioners of the Unified Government of Cusseta–Chattahoochee County confirmed leadership and handled routine appointments at its Jan. 7 regular meeting.

Commissioner Charles Coffey was confirmed as chairman after a motion by Commissioner Gerald Douglas, seconded by Commissioner Jason Frost; Commissioner Damon Hoyte voted against, and the motion passed. Commissioner Timothy Biddle was appointed vice-chair by a unanimous vote after a motion from Commissioner Frost and a second from Commissioner Douglas.

The board unanimously approved minutes from Dec. 3 and Dec. 23, 2024 (regular, work session and executive-session minutes) following motions recorded in the meeting.

The commission also adopted a proclamation honoring James Edward “Jimmy” Lawrence, who the document says was born in Columbus, Ga., on Dec. 28, 1944, served as an assessor from March 2006 to Dec. 2008 and as a county commissioner from Jan. 1, 2009, through Dec. 31, 2019, and died Dec. 5, 2024. The proclamation commends his “dedication and selfless contributions” to Cusseta–Chattahoochee County and was approved unanimously.

The board appointed Linda Engelbert to the Cusseta–Chattahoochee County Library Board to fill a vacancy left by Linda Beck; the appointment runs through Dec. 31, 2027. The motion to appoint Engelbert passed unanimously.

The meeting was called to order at 9 a.m. with Vice-Chairman Biddle absent; the board recessed into executive session later in the meeting to consult with legal counsel and reconvened to adjourn at 10:24 a.m.