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City may have new administrator

By JOHN THOMPSON
jthompson@TheCitizenNews.com

The city of Senoia has decided to hire Forsyth’s Deron King as its new city administrator.

But Monday night’s announcement of the action was only one part of a drama at City Hall that saw several people storm out of the building and Mayor Bob Hannah insist that he was going to serve all the residents and not a tiny fraction.

The drama surrounding King’s hiring started when Jim Garver asked to speak to the City Council. Garver, who belongs to a newly-formed citizens’ watchdog group, questioned why the city had not yet hired an administrator.

Garver said the city was suffering without a city administrator and urged the council to appoint a committee to conduct the search, and also use a professional recruiting service.

But attorney drew Whalen stunned the crowd when he urged the City Council to go into executive session.

“Some of the public comments might be settled after you get out of executive session,” he said.

The council adjourned, and returned nearly 30 minutes later and announced the offering of the contract to King, who will be paid $70,000 a year and will start the job March 1. Mayor Bob Hannah said King has worked with Forsyth city government in several capacities, including historical preservation and planning.

The sudden hiring caused an audible whispering at City Hall. Local activist Perry Benson asked to address the council and wondered why city codes were not being enforced. Benson is concerned about the amount of trash in residents’ yards.

But Hannah cut Benson off, and said the situation should be improved when the new city administrator is hired. The mayor also indicated he was not going to bow to any political pressure from any groups in town.

“I’m going to do what’s best for all of our residents, not just a small group,” he said angrily.

After the meeting, Benson stormed back into the meeting and asked to talk to Hannah in private. The two moved into a room just off the council chambers and had an angry discussion.

Outside, residents complained and moaned and threatened to have moving vans at their homes the next day.

The next City Council meeting is set for Feb. 21 at 7 p.m.