The line ends tonight – WR Mayor and Council address ‘corruption’

Warner Robins Mayor and Council addressed Monday the recent rehiring of three public works employees who allegedly stole fuel and used city equipment on private property.

Councilman Tim Thomas said he received a lot of phone calls in reference to the employees being rehired, over the weekend.

“I wanted to make you all aware that this council had nothing to do with these employees being rehired,” Thomas said. “We were not asked about it and I believe it was handled internally. I don’t agree with it. I am a taxpayer of Warner Robins also, so when somebody steals from me it makes me angry. Then on top of that to turn around and seeing they’re working for me again, paying their retirement, healthcare and salary; it doesn’t set easy with me.”

Councilman Daron Lee echoed Thomas’s comments stated that it was a shame for the council to ‘act’ like they upheld the decision.

“Some of you all get upset when I speak of corruption going on, but it’s true,” Lee said. “In fact, one of the employees received a $5,000 check for a side job he did on someone’s property. There is proof of that. This has to stop. You can’t uphold wrong. This has gone on far too long in this municipality. Not to mention, but we had a former councilman go to jail for the same thing receiving money on the side. He gave the money back and still went to jail yet this employee cashed the check and still walking around free. But I believe we’re moving in the right direction. No one is above the law or policy, and those days are coming to an end.”

Mayor Randy Toms said that he appreciated Lee’s comments and agreed that matters like this end tonight.

“First I want to say that there is a process and I for one, though criticized for it at times, honor that process,” Toms said. “The line is, as Mr. Lee just stated, the line is tonight, it ends. So that kind of stuff ends as far as allowing people doing things over the years, you can’t do the things you used to do 20-years ago. You can’t do that anymore. How far back does that line go? I don’t know yet, but I’m willing to find the truth. And allegations of corruption, if it’s here, I’m going to find it.”

Toms said after the meeting that the employees requested an appeal to their termination and the administrative law judge ruled to reinstate them. Toms also said there is no update on the investigation of interim public works director Krag Woodyard, who was placed on administrative leave last Wednesday.

In other business, Council ruled on three different rezoning petitions. The first was Emmanual Okorafor’s request for the rezoning of 108 Marshall Ave. from C-3 to C-2; council approved unanimously. The council upheld the decision of the Warner Robins Planning and Zoning Board to deny two additional rezoning requests. Those requests were 470 South Houston Lake Rd. and 713, 715 Watson Blvd.

Council also approved the revised the mobile food vendors ordinance, which requires operators to have a license allowing them to operate on private property as part of a city-issued special event permit.

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