Mayor no longer petitioning for charter change
The Ringgold, Ga., mayor is no longer going to petition to change the city charter.
Nick Millwood said Saturday he believed the change to the city’s rules last year in the state Legislature was done too surreptitiously, with Ringgold’s elected officials kept in the dark. But during a meeting Monday night, council members told Millwood they supported the change. Some attacked him for bringing negative attention to the city.
“What’s not being exhibited is good leadership,” Councilman Randall Franks said. “It’s sinking a ship for the sake of saving an anchor. This mayoral anchor will drag our residents, our businesses and all of us under. I think we should throw it overboard.”
The issue dates back to early 2016, when the council asked state Sen. Jeff Mullis, R-Chickamauga, to pass a local act amending Ringgold’s charter. They requested he tweak some minor issues, such as how many council members needed to be gathered to constitute a quorum.
But Mullis also changed how many votes are required to fire the city manager, from a majority of three to all five.
Millwood said he discovered the change in October. He said Mullis should have told him and the council members. He also said the change is bad for Ringgold, though he supports City Manager Dan Wright.
“It could be a different city manager,” Millwood said. “But I think the city council is elected by the people of the city. That’s where the authority should lie.”
On Monday, the council unanimously passed a motion supporting Mullis’ charter changes, though they said Mullis should loop them in if he tweaks the city rules in the future.
Mullis told the Times Free Press he made the change to ensure stability, noting that experienced city managers sometimes lose their jobs simply because voters elect a new group of council members. In March 2013, for example, Fort Oglethorpe City Manager Ron Goulart resigned after an election and his replacement fired the police chief and public works director.
Ringgold Councilman Larry Black said he supports Mullis’ change for that exact reason, believing city employees should be shielded from political upheaval.
Councilwoman Sara Clark said there should be better communication next time.
“The respect and the consideration goes both ways,” she said. “… [Mullis] will appreciate that.”
No council member was more outspoken than Franks, who criticized Millwood for publicly complaining about the charter change. Frank called Millwood’s Facebook post a “false concern” and “fake news.” He added that Mullis, who is also the executive director of the Northwest Georgia Joint Development Authority, helps secure investment in the community.
Franks equated Millwood’s criticism to a risk to drive away outside investment.
“I don’t understand, when we have a tremendous ally and partner (in Mullis), why would he even bring him in question,” Franks said. “His dedication to this city is amazing. He opens his doors to us.”
Said Millwood: “I will not feel bad for bringing it into the light and letting our citizens know about it. I’m not going to be made to feel guilty about that.”