Snellville City Council meetings have always been contentious - not so Loganville. However, that wasn’t the case on Monday. A dispute between Mayor Ray Nunley and Councilman Mike Jones ended with Jones resigning his appointments to chair the city's Public Works / Building and Grounds committee.
The issue began last week when Nunley called a meeting of Public Works / Building and Grounds committee to discuss how to use the $2 million from Walton County's Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax. Although he chairs the committee, Jones was not in attendance. The item was put on Monday’s work session agenda, but was assigned to Public Safety, under Councilman Rey Marthinez.
“I called a meeting,” Nunley said. “Mr. Mike Jones was not present at the meeting. Therefore I utilized the power vested in me and appointed Mr. Rey Martinez to report to me.”
Jones said he did not attend the SPLOST meeting because it was his committee and he did not call the meeting. Nunley said he called the meeting because Jones had not.
“In January of this year you were appointed and accepted the chairmanship. You have not had a meeting all year,” Nunley said.
But Jones disputes that. He said his committee had met and some business had been conducted. He said he had requested a meeting with the city manager to go over the items under consideration for SPLOST funds.
“I said I would like to sit down and meet with the engineer, but no you butted in,” Jones said. “There were things I wanted to go over with him.”
He went on to ask the mayor to accept his resignation from the committee.
“You may have my resignation from those meetings,” Jones said. “Just accept my resignation. If you’re going to run everything, don’t appoint me.”
Nunley asked for the resignation in writing.
The $2 million has to be spent by the end of the year in order to remain earmarked for the city. Nunley said the items would be on the agenda for approval at Thursday’s City Council meeting.
In other business, the city attorney asked each council member to appoint a person for for the city's ethics panel, and the mayor to appoint three, by Thursday. The appointments are necessary to bring the Ethics Board up to the required nine members. There is no compensation for the position and appointees must have lived in the city limits for a full year by the date of appointment, June 14. They cannot be an employee of the city nor have had any interest in, contract transaction or official business with the city. The appointments will be to serve on the Ethics Board for two years.
The June City Council Meeting will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 14, at City Hall.
"This is truly unfortunate. My concern now is Mr. Martinez is leaving for active duty. Who will chair this committee when he is gone?" I would guess the position will be taken by one of the other council members...Unless of course we happen to be visited by space aliens in which case that chair will go to one of them
I'm sure the vacant council seat will be filled by someone who wants the job, much like the vacant committee chair will be filled by a council member. It's how things work after all
I am indeed aware of who you are and your service to the City and I dont dispute that it is indeed a difficult job . I simply found your question rather ridiculous and responded in kind .
It would seem you are suggesting that Mr Jones resignation from his committee chair will make things more difficult for the other council members as they will have to take on his responsibilities as well . I think we agree there
I think Ms (Mrs. ?) Waring was expressing concern over Mr Martinez returning to active military service during his term. I havent a clue if he is scheduled to do so or not.
I seem to recall former councilman Lynch continuing to serve the City while he was away on active duty . I wonder if Mr Martinez can do the same ?
Also the street market on Saturday's are more like a flea market than a farmer's market...
It's not up to the City to pick and choose what businesses can come here , though I'd prefer the store front churches to be replaced with businesses that actually contribute revenue
"Stalk much, Canada?" Yeah... because reading the local news is exactly like stalking? Right Just an interested citizen as always chum...Looking forward to hearing how skipping meetings and resigning from committee chairs is somehow the best way to represent the citizens of Loganville . I find it extremely doubtful that of throwing what appears to be little more than a tantrum is in the best interests of the citizens or the council.
You make a valid point however, the only part of the "story" that I know is from the above article that states Mr Jones failed to attend a called committee meeting and resigned from his duties to the people in a huff, leaving them to be handled by others. I'm sure the folks here at the Patch would be glad to post "the other side " from Mr Jones point of view and I look forward to reading that ..