A closed session to discuss Mayor Garnett Johnson’s picks for Augusta administrator grew heated Monday, with yelling preceding three commissioners leaving the meeting room.
Johnson released the names of three finalists Monday morning, shortly after providing the names to the commission, he said.
“I believe that all three of these candidates that I’ve submitted are highly qualified,” he said. “All of them have decades of experience either leading government, working in government or in an administrator’s role.”
Commissioner Jordan Johnson said the argument in legal session arose not from the mayor’s picks, but from his decision to release them to the public.
Johnson, who has stated his preference for hiring Interim Administrator Takiyah Douse, said the mayor’s release of the names will cause “legal ramifications” because several of the candidates “asked that their names not be released.”
Commissioner Catherine Smith McKnight said the closed session turned into a shouting match directed at the mayor that saw few defend him.
“I said in front of everybody that I applauded him,” McKnight said. “He’s trying to be open and do what’s right.”
The mayor’s office has touted transparency in the selection, and one other commissioner, Sean Frantom, suggested the commission vote in open session Monday on the hire.
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Had the commission approved allowing the finalists to be kept secret, it would likely violate state law. The Georgia Open Records Act requires the release of documents concerning the finalists for an agency head position 14 days before the decision is made.
The mayor’s office released only the finalists’ names Monday.
One is well-known as the head of the city IT department for 22 years. Tameka Allen, a 31-year veteran of the local government, holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Savannah State University and a master’s degree in business administration from Augusta University. She served as interim administrator for most of 2014 after the commission terminated Fred Russell.
Less is known about the other two finalists, but The Augusta Press has requested additional information.
Finalist Richard D. Chess is head of transit administration for Broward County, Fla. Finalist Richard Sivick is county administrator in Whitfield County, Ga., where Dalton is the county seat.
Augusta has been without a permanent administrator for 22 months, since the resignation of Odie Donald II. Douse, the director of Central Services, has been serving as interim administrator for nearly 22 months, but support for her has splintered the commission.
Susan McCord is a staff writer with The Augusta Press. Reach her at susan@theaugustapress.com
