By Heather Jensen Weekend Anchor/Reporter
News 3 On Your Side
Greenville is the county seat of Meriwether County, with only about one thousand residents. It’s typically seen as a quiet town, but a fight between the newly-elected mayor and city council members is making headlines.News 3 On Your Side
Email to a Friend
Stumble It!“It’s the talk of the town,” says Virginia Hill.
Hill has lived in Greenville for 50 years. Her father was once mayor of this city. But she's never seen a mess like this.
“It's in question about the current mayor, who is mayor James C. Bray, about him being qualified to be mayor,” she says.
In the city's consolidation report (filed with the Secretary of State's office), James Bray won last November’s mayoral election. But his election certification is being questioned, as well as his overall eligibility to participate in those elections.
And the problems don't stop there.
City workers say they haven't been paid in nearly three weeks.
“There are people still working,” says Lieutenant Dwaine Berry, “but they're not receiving a paycheck.”
Berry works for the Greenville Police Department. He and other city workers tell News 3 they're currently working for nothing.
The city's Mayor Pro Tem Jim Mabon has been accused of not signing the paychecks in protest of the new mayor. His signature is required. Until the checks are signed, that money can't be spent.
“Not being able to pay light bills, not being able to pay any utilities,” Berry says of his family. “You’re not going to the grocery store when you want.”
Despite the current situation, Lt. Berry says he'll continue to show up to work because he's loyal to his community.
Those in the community, like Virginia Hill, are loyal to him.
“I would like to ask my council member,” says Hill, “since they do represent me, 'What's going on? Why is this going on?’”
News requested an interview with councilor and mayor pro tem Jim Mabon to talk about the check signing allegations. He declined the request saying: “The reason is that I must decline deals with pending legal issues that I can not talk publicly about today. I am truely [sic] sorry.”
According to Matt Carrothers, Director of Media Relations for the Georgia Secretary of State's office, the election matter is currently under investigation by the inspector general.
A special meeting was called Tuesday to discuss city workers' pay (among other issues). Stay with news 3 for the latest developments in this story.
If you would like to weigh in on this issue, email News 3 at news@wrbl.com. Please include you name with your comments. You can also post a comment to the online story.
