College Park is honoring a 10-year-old boy who played a major role in saving his family’s home during a fire this summer. During Monday’s city council meeting, Mayor Bianca Motley Broom and Fire Chief Sterling P. Jones presented Cornelius Chones with a proclamation for his courage and quick action after a fire broke out at […]
Tag: College Park City Council
Posted inColumns
Judge dismisses College Park councilwoman’s TPO petition against resident
A Fulton County Superior Court judge dismissed a petition for a stalking temporary protective order brought by a College Park councilwoman against a resident. During a Monday hearing, Judge Tamika Hrobowski-Houston said resident Allyson Blue’s words and actions toward College Park Councilwoman Jamelle McKenzie did not amount to stalking, harassment or threats and denied McKenzie’s […]
Posted inColumns
For Black women in leadership, must degradation come with the territory?
For Black women, is degradation by others the price of leadership? I have been thinking about this lately as I cover College Park. And especially on Saturday, when a controversial Facebook account that is critical of College Park Mayor Bianca Motley Broom referred to her as a “whore.” The Facebook page, which is administered by […]
Posted inColumns
College Park tensions reach a precipice as allegations and accusations collide
College Park has adopted a new security policy for elected officials as political tensions between city council members and residents continue to intensify. The policy allows the mayor and council members to receive security protection when there is a credible threat to their safety. It was spurred in part by Councilwoman Jamelle McKenzie and approved […]
Posted inColumns
Manipulated images, anonymous posts fuel new College Park political fight
Both known and anonymous social media posters continue to take aim at College Park Mayor Bianca Motley Broom. The mayor says she is exploring legal options against those responsible for what she describes as false and defamatory attacks. The latest controversy centers on photographs published over Labor Day weekend on the Everything College Park Facebook […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Who belongs in a neighborhood? College Park forced to revisit sober house request
Tensions over the idea of eight people recovering from addiction living in a 4,500-square-foot house in College Park are touching on questions beyond zoning or land use. What responsibility does a community have to people rebuilding their lives, and how should that responsibility be weighed against neighbors’ concerns about safety and property values? On Tuesday, […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
United College Park charts future amid Good Trouble Honors consideration
United College Park has spent years challenging city leaders, questioning government decisions and pushing for greater transparency. It’s work that has often put the resident organization at odds with College Park officials. The group is currently rethinking its mission and how it engages the community while seeking additional members. United College Park is also being […]
Posted inColumns
Veteran tourism executive fears other cities could follow College Park’s lead
The former president of the ATL Airport District believes the state’s response to College Park could have implications for destination marketing organizations across Georgia. Cookie Smoak served as president of the ATL Airport District Convention and Visitors Bureau from 2013 to 2024. She believes that if College Park’s actions are allowed to stand, other municipalities […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
College Park advances tourism contract as selection process remains under scrutiny
College Park City Council voted Monday to move forward with a contract for a new destination marketing organization, even as questions remain unanswered about how Destination Must Visit Tourism Alliance was selected. Council approved the organization over other candidates in a hurried fashion on June 29 during a special called meeting in Savannah. Mayor Bianca […]
Posted inColumns
College Park development authority chair, husband reject conflict of interest questions
The chairwoman of College Park’s Business and Industrial Development Authority and her family are reiterating that there is no conflict of interest between her role as an appointed official and her company RSW Services, which is operated by her husband, Rex Willis. During public comment at Monday’s city council meeting, Subrenia Willis said she and […]
Posted inColumns
Resident scrutinizes $1M in College Park contracts awarded to company owned by appointed official
A College Park resident has obtained a wealth of public records that she says point to a conflict of interest involving the city, a public official and a vendor paid more than $1 million by College Park over two fiscal years. The vendor is RSW Services, which is owned by Subrenia Willis, chairwoman of College […]
Posted inColumns
Restaurant owner’s back-to-school bash kicks off larger community mission
A back-to-school bash in College Park this weekend represents more than festivities and giveaways for organizers Shawn Perkins and LaKresha Williams. The women see the event as the first step in building Ask For a Better Life, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding personal development, wellness, workforce training and other supportive services in an underserved College […]
Posted inColumns
College Park transparency questions rile city attorney
College Park government is providing no shortage of material for local news coverage during these hazy summer days. But one word seems to dog the city year-round: transparency. That question has resurfaced in College Park following city attorney Winston Denmark’s response to the Georgia Attorney General’s Office concerning residents’ complaints alleging violation of the Open […]
Posted inColumns
Savannah meeting prompts citizen activist to sue College Park officials
College Park maintains there was nothing improper or illegal about city council’s decision to select a new destination marketing organization during a special-called meeting in Savannah in June. But, now a government-transparency advocate has filed a lawsuit against the four council members, the city manager, city clerk and city attorney, alleging violations of Georgia’s Open […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
College Park councilman ordered to repay public funds, pay penalties for ethics violations
A College Park councilman has been ordered to repay public funds and pay penalties for state ethics violations that residents say center on accountability and the misuse of taxpayer money. Councilman Roderick Gay agreed to a consent order with the Georgia State Ethics Commission requiring him to refund $3,262 to the city and pay $2,000 […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Metro tourism officials say College Park’s marketing pick falsely claimed them as clients
Documents suggest that either due diligence was not done on the firm College Park selected as its new destination marketing organization, or city officials were aware of alleged false information included in the winning bidder’s proposal. Chris Hardman President and CEO of the Georgia Hotel & Lodging Association has filed a complaint with the Georgia […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
College Park mayor inducted into Georgia Municipal Government Hall of Fame
While College Park Mayor Bianca Motley Broom has seen her authority constrained by city council, her leadership has been recognized by the Georgia Municipal Association. Motley Broom was inducted into the Georgia Municipal Government Hall of Fame during the organization’s annual convention in Savannah last weekend. She received the honor while remaining at odds with […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Attorney General seeks answers on latest allegations against College Park
After more than two years of residents filing complaints with the Attorney General’s Office alleging a lack of transparency and violations of the Open Meetings Act by College Park officials, recent city council actions are drawing increased scrutiny from state officials. Senior Assistant Attorney General Kristen Settlemire sent a June 30 letter to city attorney […]
Posted inColumns
Concerned about city transparency, 15 residents drive to Savannah for unusual College Park council meeting
A College Park City Council meeting held in Savannah on Sunday to select a new destination marketing organization is drawing criticism from residents, the mayor, and the Georgia Hotel & Lodging Association over transparency and whether the city followed state law. Residents said they believe the meeting was held 240 miles away from College Park […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
College Park mayor, business owner accuse councilman of targeting establishments
A College Park business owner is pushing back against a city councilman she says is unfairly targeting two of her establishments. Her allegations have drawn public support from Mayor Bianca Motley Broom. “I’m doing so much in your area, in your community. What did I do bad for you to come against me?” Shawn Perkins […]
