LaGrange City Council holds called meeting to discuss special election
LAGRANGE, Ga. (WRBL) — Just days after LaGrange Mayor Willie T. Edmondson passed away, the LaGrange City Council convened for a special called meeting Tuesday night. The purpose of the meeting: to consider the call for a special election to fill the vacancy.
Remembering Willie Edmondson: Statements on the LaGrange mayor’s passing
Edmondson passed away due to unknown health complications. He was the city’s first African American mayor and was sworn into office in March 2023.
Dozens of residents filed into the LaGrange City Municipal Court Building for the meeting, many of them outraged.
What’s the rush? What is the rush that we get a mayor in there all of a sudden? Is it some political gain? Is there something that we don’t know about?
Dr. Titus Roberson, Pastor
We are still in mourning. We are saddened by this. This was a man that was respected, a funeral home owner, a pastor of a great church here in West Point, Georgia. He was also the mayor of our city. He helped a lot of people. He was easy to talk to. And for this type of travesty to occur right now, it’s just sadness. It saddens me that an election is so important at this point of time. It couldn’t wait a few more days?
Inetha Hatten, Troup County NAACP President
Residents describe the timing of the meeting as disrespectful and inappropriate.
It was very insensitive and I felt like it should have been something that they could have prohibited. The people’s needs, wants and feelings should have been observed rather than neglected.
Rev. Renee Clarke, LaGrange Resident
It was hard enough to lose him, but it’s even worse that they don’t have enough respect to give him the honor and the respect to wait. They could’ve had this meeting later because it’s going to have to happen [at some point].
Gail Hunter, LaGrange Resident
The decision to hold the meeting was not unanimous among the council. Before submitting his resignation as Mayor Pro Tem, Jim Arrington, called for this meeting. This came after three councilmen submitted formal letters to the city’s attorney, Jeff Todd, requesting it.
We held the meeting tonight because they [Councilmen Nathan Gaskin, Tom Gore and Mark Mitchell] went through the legal parameters of getting it done around me without my consent. My obligation is to the citizens and to the council. I got respect for them that they asked for it. So I gave them a meeting.
Jim Arrington, Former Mayor Pro Tem
Arrington resigned during the meeting, stating his intention to run for mayor. According to the city’s attorney, this special meeting had to be called at least 90 days before a special election, which they intend to have in May.
The city of LaGrange will host another special called meeting Wednesday night at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers.
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