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Cindy Hatala elected Richmond Hill mayor pro‑tem after two failed nominations
Summary
After two earlier nomination attempts failed, the Richmond Hill City Council elected Councilmember Cindy Hatala as mayor pro‑tem on Jan. 29; the council voted 3‑2 with Mayor Kristi Cox casting the tie‑breaking vote in the affirmative, and City Clerk Dawnne Greene administered the oath.
The Richmond Hill City Council finalized the appointment of Cindy Hatala as mayor pro‑tem during a special meeting on Jan. 29, 2026.
Mayor Kristi Cox said the meeting was called to complete the appointment before she is absent for a scheduled workshop. Councilmember Kevin Bowes nominated the agenda earlier; the nomination and voting sequence for mayor pro‑tem then proceeded with multiple motions.
An initial motion by Councilmember Van Hunter to elect Councilmember Steve Scholar as mayor pro‑tem was seconded by Scholar. Councilmembers Van Hunter and Steve Scholar voted to approve; Councilmembers Kevin Bowes and Cindy Hatala opposed; Mayor Kristi Cox cast the tie‑breaking vote in the negative and the motion failed.
A second motion by Councilmember Scholar to elect Councilmember Van Hunter as mayor pro‑tem, seconded by Councilmember Hunter, produced the same 2‑2 split with Mayor Cox again casting the tie‑breaking vote in the negative; that motion also failed.
A third motion, made by Councilmember Kevin Bowes and seconded by Councilmember Cindy Hatala, nominated Cindy Hatala for mayor pro‑tem. Councilmembers Bowes and Hatala voted in the affirmative; Councilmembers Hunter and Scholar opposed. Mayor Cox cast the tie‑breaking vote in the affirmative, and the motion carried 3‑2.
City Clerk Dawnne Greene administered the oath of office to Cindy Hatala, who repeated the oath, including: "I, Cindy Hatala, do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the laws of the State of Georgia; I am qualified to hold the office of Mayor Pro‑Tempore for the City of Richmond Hill according to the Constitution and the laws of the State of Georgia; I am not the holder of any office of trust under the government of the United States, any other state, or any foreign state, which I am prohibited from holding by the laws of the State of Georgia; I am not the holder of any unaccounted for public money due to the state of any political subdivision or authority thereof and that I will well and truly perform the duties of Mayor Pro‑Tempore of the City of Richmond Hill to the best of my ability and skill without favor or affection, so help me God."
With the oath administered, the council had completed the appointment. The special meeting adjourned at 4:39 p.m.
