Commission chair seeks security

Henry County official says she’s had threats on her life, harassment.

Henry County Commission Chairwoman Carlotta Harrell said she has had to request a security detail after threats on her life and harassment via social media, email, phone calls and texts.

Harrell, who has led the south metro Atlanta community’s government since January, made the announcement earlier this week at the end of a Henry County Commission meeting. She did not go into detail about the threats or reveal who was making them.

“I’m tired of all the attacks,” said Harrell, a former police officer. “I’ve had my life threatened. I’ve had to have restraining orders taken out and issued. And I continue to be harassed.”

Harrell clashed with fellow Democrats over a state law she helped push that let the Henry County Republican Party nominate candidates to temporarily replace District 3 Commissioner Gary Barham after his sudden death in March. The board also had to cancel two meetings in November because it failed to meet a quorum when three of the group’s six members did not show up.

Henry Solicitor General Pam Bettis told the audience at this week’s board meeting that Harrell is not the only elected official who has been threatened and offered other commissioners protection if necessary.

“Based on the physical threats that have been made to her person, I agreed with the sheriff (Reginald Scandrett) that this security detail was important,” Bettis said. “Mrs. Harrell is not the only official who has had threats against her life, and that’s unfortunate in our day and time.”

Harrell said she just wants to do her job without being threatened.

“I ran for this position because I love this county,” she said. “And I want to do what’s best.”

JOHN SPINK/AJC Henry County Chairwoman Carlotta Harrell hugs Henry Sheriff Reginald Scandrett on Nov. 9 as Henry Police Chief Mark Amerman looks on. Scandrett backs giving Harrell a security detail.