WSBTV: City Of South Fulton Hires Police Chief – Kind Of/Not Really

WSB TV’s Nefertiti Jaquez reports that the news of Georgia’s new City of South Fulton hiring its first police chief doesn’t seem to be news. The actual news appears to be a unilateral action of long time South Fulton Commissioner turned Mayor Bill Edwards selecting a Mayor, and surprising his council. Jaquez does an excellent job of laying all this out via twitter, and we’ll let her tell the story below:

#Developing: @COSFGA Mayor Bill Edwards offered the job of police chief to Luther Lamar without the knowledge — or approval — of city council. Stay with @wsbtv | @ajc for the latest.

— Nefertiti Jáquez (@NefertitiWSB) February 1, 2018

.@ajc | @wsbtv: pic.twitter.com/MKMrCMr1hY

— Nefertiti Jáquez (@NefertitiWSB) February 1, 2018

In a newsletter earlier today, @CarmalithaG said – Edwards’ action was taken “despite the will of the council” and accused him of abusing his authority as mayor. Stay with @wsbtv for more. #nightbeat pic.twitter.com/lzWHjZs7OB

— Nefertiti Jáquez (@NefertitiWSB) February 1, 2018

@khalidCares said in his own newsletter that he + other members of council learned that Lamar was hired when I broke the news on Twitter. He also made clear tonight that council didn’t “fire” anyone. Mayor not returning our calls. @wsbtv pic.twitter.com/ccAj689t2U

— Nefertiti Jáquez (@NefertitiWSB) February 1, 2018

Just last night, Edwards told us city council voted unanimously not to give Lamar the job saying, “there is a provision of the law that during the transition period – in the absence of the city manager that the council can weigh in on the hiring and firing of individuals.” @wsbtv

— Nefertiti Jáquez (@NefertitiWSB) February 1, 2018

Members of city council tell @wsbtv that’s not true: https://t.co/JogswzSSDp

— Nefertiti Jáquez (@NefertitiWSB) February 1, 2018

.@ajc + @wsbtv have called + emailed Mayor Edwards and have not heard back from him.

— Nefertiti Jáquez (@NefertitiWSB) February 1, 2018