Hickey

THOMASVILLE — The Thomas County Commission chairman said outbursts will not be tolerated at county government meetings.

On Tuesday, county commissioners will consider appointments and reappointments to several boards. Members will be named to tax assessors, elections and registration and recreation advisory boards and the Thomas County Planning and Land Use Standards Commission (PLUS).

Noting an outburst at a recent PLUS meeting, county commission Chairman Ken Hickey said residents should respect people the commission appoints to various boards.

“Our appointed boards are made up of people who serve in the capacity of representation of the citizens of the county,” Hickey said. “They have a job to do.”

PLUS appointees form an opinion based on members’ interpretation of the county planning and zoning ordinance, the chairman said.

“I think they need to be escorted from the meeting in an orderly manner,” Hickey said, in reference to individuals responsible for outbursts at any county government meeting.

He said it is up to chairmen of the respective panels to halt a meeting until a person responsible for the disruption is removed from the room.

“The chairman has the authority to halt the meeting until order is restored,” Hickey said.

The temperament of people attending government meetings nationwide has changed, he added.

“It is scary that you cannot go into a church on Sunday without fear somebody will come and shoot you,” the commission chairman said.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820