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Toccoa commissioners reject email ballots, hold public votes to fill Downtown Development Authority
Summary
After objections to prior email appointments, the Toccoa City Commission held in‑meeting votes June 22 and approved multiple nominees to the Downtown Development Authority; one amendment to add an additional nominee failed 2–3.
Mayor Evan Hellenga opened the Toccoa City Commission meeting on June 22 and led a ceremonial proclamation for the Toccoa Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution before the commission moved into business.
The session turned to appointments to the Downtown Development Authority after several nominees had been named by email. Commissioner Terry Carter said he "could not accept the appointments because the votes were not made in a public meeting" and that he did "not think the City should do business like this." Carter then moved to amend the nominations to include Connie Tabor; Commissioner Gail Fry seconded the amendment. That amendment failed on a 2–3 vote, with Mayor Evan Hellenga, Vice‑Mayor Michelle Jamieson and Commissioner Ron Matheson opposed.
City Attorney Greg Sowell told the commission that the email ballots "would not be valid," and the commission proceeded to read and vote on seven nominees aloud. The votes recorded by the commission were: Shaykethia Burtch — 0 votes; Connie Tabor — 2 votes; Jody Rogers — 3 votes; Lisa Gettys — 1 vote; Megan Fowler — 3 votes; Olivia Adams — 5 votes; Travis Kruger — 5 votes. The commission approved the nominees who received majority support.
Vice‑Mayor Michelle Jamieson initiated the motion to read the names and vote individually; Commissioner Ron Matheson seconded the procedure motion. After the public votes, the commission confirmed the appointments during the meeting record.
The disagreement over the earlier email ballots framed much of the debate. Commissioner Carter framed his objection as a process concern about transparency and public‑meeting requirements; Attorney Sowell’s ruling that the email votes were invalid led the commission to reconduct the selections on the record.
The commission did not take additional procedural steps beyond the recorded public votes during the meeting. The newly approved nominees will serve on the Downtown Development Authority as appointed by the commission.
