Augusta commisisoners react to decision to grant mayor a vote

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – In a little more than a month, Mayor Garnett Johnson will be saying yes or no to any item coming before commissioners, which is something no mayor has done before.

“There’s a new day in Augusta, Georgia, and I think what you’re going to see come July 1st and moving forward is that there will be some very swift action taken on things that needed to have been done… even previously,” said Commissioner Alvin Mason.

7 out of 10 Augusta voters said yes to giving the mayor a vote, which is an overwhelming total.

“They want to see all this horseplay that goes on stopped, and I think the yes vote is going to help out tremendously,” said Commissioner Catherine Smith McKnight.

But the mayor vote bitterly divided commissioners.

ALSO ON WJBF: Voters overwhelmingly favor giving Augusta mayor commission vote

Bobby Williams, who opposed it and lost his re-election bid, doesn’t see the mayor vote helping city government.

“No, not by a long shot. I think it will add to our woes or what have you due to the fact that he’s going to have to declare a side,” said Commissioner Williams.

Commissioner Jordan Johnson, who easily won re-election, also opposed the mayor vote and doesn’t see it as a step in the right direction.

“No, I actually think it will make things a little more difficult, but the people have spoken. I think that is the greatest form of democracy, which is to allow people have a decision,” said Commissioner Johnson.

And starting in July, the mayor will be making a decision on the commission.

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