The town wasn’t big enough anyway.
Let’s go to Lovejoy, Georgia.
Mayor Bobby Cartwright has drawn the ire of State Senator Gale Davenport.
The elected mayor and appoint city manager also acts occasionally as public works director. His city-owned car is outfitted with the same equipment package as police vehicles, technically a misdemeanor.
Since local news has been covering it, concerned residents are also voicing criticism of the lack of transparency and oversight. One resident attempted some open records requests and got nowhere. That resident has taken the matter to court.
Cartwright himself says it is legal, good for the city, and not a conflict of interests.
Somewhat similar to what we have just seen in Carson, CA, one job pays significantly more than the other. The City Manager posts earns $110,000 (small change compared to California) while the Mayor role pays only $6,000. Senator Davenport is in the process of meeting with Cartwright to get him to step down from one position and trusts he will do the right thing.
Georgia’s State Office of Legislative Counsel agrees with the senator, providing Davenport with a written opinion saying that the Official Code of Georgia "appears to clearly prohibit an elected member of a municipal governing authority from simultaneously holding the office of city manager."
“Oops…” – Mayor Cartwright (Probably)
Can’t wait to see how this one shakes out.
More on Georgia’s Jack of All Local Government Trades can be found here.