DeKalb County will have to fill a vacant seat on the county commission after District Three Commissioner Tony Luna resigned Monday night.
Commissioner Tom Chandler said he thinks it is a shame that Luna has decided to resign. Chandler said this is the fourth commissioner to resign from this commission.
“I don’t believe it was because they were doing a bad job, and I don’t believe it was because they were corrupt,” Chandler said. “I believe they have all tried to do what they thought was in the best interest of the county and the districts they represented.”
The county commission unanimously approved accepting Luna’s resignation. Luna recently brought forth the idea of a new marina on Center Hill Lake. The issue brought a very negative response from some country residents.
Several citizens spoke during the public comment period on various topics, including Luna’s resignation. Annette Tubbs Evans voiced her opinion about Luna’s recent attempt to build a marina at the Dublin Access Area on Center Hill Lake.
“In the recent last thing of dealing with Commissioner Luna, and wanted to bring the marina to that community there, and said that he had spoke with the housing management and some of the citizens there in that community,” Evans said. “I guess he probably felt as some of the others has that they wouldn’t speak up either, but they did. And what he said was found to be not true. And so it’s just like a bad marriage when you find out that someone can’t be trusted, then it’s time to do something about it.”
DeKalb County Mayor Matt Adcock said the commission could not begin the process of replacing Luna unless the resignation was accepted.
The commission did not discuss the process or a timeline for filling the vacant seat on the commission. Luna was not present for the meeting.
In other business, Adcock was appointed chairman, and Commissioner Jeff Barnes was appointed Pro Temp by acclamation. Barnes had been nominated to be chairman by Commissioner Beth Pafford, but declined to be nominated.
The commission also reappointed several department heads. Donny Green was appointed as Fire Chief, Trent Phipps was appointed as EMS Director, Charlie Parker was appointed as EMA Director, Hilton Conger was appointed as County Attorney, and Brian Reed was appointed as Solid Waste and Public Works Director.
The commission approved a resolution in support of a transportation planning grant application. Adcock said the grant could help further the county’s goal of widening State Route 83, also known as Allen Ferry Road.
The commission approved a resolution to recognize the 50th anniversary of the DeKalb County Fire Department.
