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 […]
Tag: College Park
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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 […]
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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
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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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
Parents sue Grady over teen’s death, alleged failure to respond to 911 call
The parents of Amanda Sylvester are suing Grady Hospital and Grady EMS for failing to provide ambulance transport and emergency medical care to their daughter on Dec. 5, 2024. Barbara and Anthony Sylvester have assembled a legal team that includes Malone Law, The Moore Law Firm and attorney Ben Crump. The attorneys filed the lawsuit […]
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 […]
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College Park police officer shortage ‘unsustainable,’ residents say
The number of College Park police officers on patrol at night is “frighteningly” low, a resident told city leaders who are hearing ongoing concerns about officer retention. During a public hearing Monday on the city’s 2027 fiscal year budget, resident Sherry Godfrey urged city council to increase the starting salary for police officers from $55,000 […]
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College Park council approves new constraint on mayor not outlined in charter
College Park City Council has approved another measure that constrains the mayor’s authority. During a Monday meeting, council unanimously approved a measure permanently preventing Mayor Bianca Motley Broom from placing any item on a regular meeting agenda seeking approval to spend her community enhancement funds. The move follows several actions by council since 2024 when […]
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College Park addresses concerns about possible presence of ICE agents
College Park officials issued statements over the weekend addressing public concern over possible federal immigration enforcement activity in the community. Mayor Bianca Motley Broom said the city has not been contacted by federal immigration agencies regarding any operations in the community, including at the Georgia International Convention Center. “Federal immigration agencies have not been in […]
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Disability advocate questions College Park’s public comment policy change
A change to College Park’s public comment policy is drawing criticism from the mayor and the leader of a disability justice organization, who say the move is unfair and restricts public participation. As of council’s Jan. 5 meeting, the city no longer accepts emailed public comments, a practice that began in 2020 during the pandemic. […]
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7 stories you may have missed this year
As the year comes to a close, here are seven stories that you may have missed. They raised questions and amplified voices of residents and leaders across Metro Atlanta. The stories ranged from local government accountability to education, faith, culture and housing. A year of scrutiny in College Park Throughout the year, I reported extensively […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Interim city manager promises scrutiny and public input in College Park
College Park Interim City Manager Michael Hicks said he plans to take a more scrutinizing approach to city budgets and spending than previous administrations, and work respectfully with Mayor Bianca Motley Broom. A 2024 council ordinance limiting the mayor’s ability to express opinion on agenda items has also affected working relationships with successive city managers. […]
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College Park police chief’s resignation comes as deputy’s lawsuit looms
College Park’s latest shakeup in leadership — the resignation of Police Chief Connie Rogers — comes while the city is facing a legal action from her second-in-command. Deputy Police Chief Sharis McCrary, a 22-year veteran of the department, filed a federal discrimination lawsuit against College Park that alleges she was unfairly passed over for the […]
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Residents allege doxxing and harassment over comments on community Facebook page
Two College Park residents say they have experienced harassment and intimidation after raising questions on a community Facebook page that has become increasingly contentious amid ongoing tensions between the mayor and members of city council. Residents M.L. Howard and Tracy Morrison say they have been threatened as a result of back-and-forth commenting on the Everything […]
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A College Park community gets creative serving neighbors and challenging city hall
Days before Thanksgiving, College Park residents gathered on Rugby Avenue for a day of true giving in a way that an organizer said reflects a larger movement taking shape in the city. Last Saturday, resident James Walker, along with neighbors across College Park, hosted “Neighbors Table,” a pop-up Thanksgiving event. Held outside Walker’s home, the […]
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College Park developer refutes claims by fired city manager
A new wave of controversies has emerged in College Park following the firing of City Manager Lindell Miller. The developer renovating the former Chelsea Gardens apartments is refuting her allegations. Miller issued a written statement and has spoken to media outlets about her firing, which occurred during Monday’s city council meeting. A resident shared her […]
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College Park fires another city manager during meeting of twists and turns
College Park fired City Manager Lindell Miller near the end of Monday’s City Council meeting. Similar to her predecessor Emmanuel Adediran, who was also terminated without explanation last May, Miller gathered her belongings and left the chambers after the surprise vote. Councilman Joe Carn, who called for the motion, voted in approval of the firing […]
