College Park Councilman Roderick Gay is under scrutiny following a car accident that occurred Saturday, Oct. 11, at Phillips Park — the same day as the Citywide Festival held in his ward. According to a police report, Gay was driving his personal vehicle, a BMW, when he backed into a parked Chevrolet Camaro, striking the side […]
Tag: College Park
Posted inColumns
College Park responds to lawsuit’s claims of unlawful actions by official
College Park is denying claims brought forth in a whistleblower lawsuit that alleges unlawful actions by a city councilman. SaportaReport received the city’s response through Councilman Roderick Gay. The councilman directed code enforcement officers to write illegal citations to property owners in the Ward 4 district that he presides over, the lawsuit states. Former code […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Fired College Park employee files whistleblower lawsuit, cites council member
A former College Park code enforcement supervisor has filed a lawsuit against the city, alleging retaliatory termination and misconduct by an elected official. Last Friday, Attorney J. Matthew Maquire filed the lawsuit under the Georgia Whistleblower Act on behalf of Jerry Silver in Fulton County Superior Court. The act protects public employees from retaliation if […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Conflict of interest concerns sink proposed College Park contract
A proposal to award a $40,000 contract to a former College Park city council candidate was denied Monday following sharp comments from city leaders, and criticism from a resident who questioned whether the proposed contract amounted to a payoff for the candidate exiting the race. Mayor Bianca Motley Broom, in a post previewing the council […]
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Fulton Superior Court reschedules hearing in College Park zoning fight
The Fulton County Superior Court hearing involving Rogers Repair Shop, originally scheduled for Aug. 26, did not take place and has been rescheduled for Sept. 25 at 1 p.m. Rogers Repair Shop, located at 2525 Riverdale Road, has been closed for several months. Owner Roderick Rogers says that the city has refused to renew his […]
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College Park business owner fighting to survive zoning battle, and two alleged arson attacks
A long-operating automotive repair shop in College Park has been shuttered since February, and its owner, Roderick Rogers, is fighting to keep his business alive. Rogers, who owns Rogers Repair Shop, said the city has refused to renew his business license and has sought to close the business down permanently. His attorney, Erin Coleman, said […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
College Park mayor elected president of Georgia Municipal Association
College Park Mayor Bianca Motley Broom has been elected president of the Georgia Municipal Association, the organization that represents 537 cities across the state. Her election was confirmed during GMA’s annual convention in Savannah on June 22. Motley Broom will helm of Georgia’s largest municipal advocacy and support organization. She previously served as third, second, […]
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Grievance hearings provide few answers to fired College Park employees
Two former College Park employees say they left their recent grievance hearings last week frustrated and dismayed, still unclear about why they were terminated and questioning the fairness of the process. Rose Stewart, former director of human resources and risk management, and Jerry Silver, former code enforcement supervisor, had separate hearings last Thursday as part […]
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Councilman alleges bias in reporting, journalist responds
Last Friday, College Park Councilman Roderick Gay sent reporter Adrianne Murchison a letter of complaint about her reporting on the city. Gay also emailed city hall communications staff and spokespeople. SaportaReport is a civic news site committed to dialogue and public engagement, offering space for diverse voices and points of view. Below is Councilman Gay’s […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Nearly $500K payout fuels more controversy and blame in College Park
In College Park, questions are piling up — and so is the blame. Where is the money going? Why are certain payments being made without clear contracts or council oversight? Who is accountable? City leaders are pointing fingers over a controversial $471,690 payment to Keller Williams realty company, and meanwhile, the condemnation of the Chelsea […]
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Fired staffers scrutinize city manager’s past role, payments by College Park
A group of recently fired College Park employees are questioning not only the circumstances of their dismissals but also the city’s handling of vendor contracts and internal staffing decisions leading up to the terminations. Last Friday, SaportaReport met with five former city employees. Dr. Emmanuel Adediran, former city manager; Rose Stewart, former director of human […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
College Park spokesman, crisis advisor resigns citing city hall turmoil
Bill Crane, a longtime political analyst and the crisis communications consultant for the city of College Park is stepping down from his role, citing internal conflicts and a shifting environment within the city government. Crane, who was hired in the summer of 2024, has submitted his resignation effective June 30. His firm, CSI Crane, which […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Fired College Park staffers speak out during city meeting, challenge dismissals
Four former College Park employees who were fired on May 20 came forward during public comment at a recent city council meeting, demanding answers and alleging wrongful termination. Rose Stewart, the city’s former director of human resources and risk management, spoke on behalf of herself and three other former employees: Jerry Silver, a former code […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Condemned College Park apartment complex called a ‘humanitarian emergency’
College Park officials say all residents have now been relocated from the condemned Chelsea Gardens Apartments. The city condemned the apartment complex in April. Residents say the apartment units are plagued by excessive mold, water shutoffs, rodent infestations, and collapsing infrastructure. According to the city, most of the displaced tenants were moved with assistance from […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
College Park plans $5.4M landmark botanical garden
College Park marked a milestone last week with the ceremonial signing of a lease agreement with Fulton County to establish a botanical garden at Camp Truitt. College Park plans to spend $5.4 million toward the creation of the new public garden, which will have walking trails, a visitor center, and educational facilities across 32 acres. […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
College Park firings bring accusations of political power play, maneuverings
Staff terminations at College Park City Hall continued last week after the firing of former city manager Dr. Emmanuel Adediran. Rose Stewart, the former director of Human Resources and Risk Management, and Jerry Silver, a former Code Enforcement supervisor, said they believe their firings are tied to Councilman Roderick Gay. The revolving door of staff […]
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College Park ousts city manager at council meeting with no clear explanation
College Park has fired its city manager just eight months after promoting him from an interim role. Dr. Emmanuel Adediran left city council chambers during a Monday meeting after council approved the vote to terminate his position. Councilman Roderick Gay introduced the motion to terminate him “for cause,” citing “willful misconduct” and alleging “dishonesty in the […]
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Shuttered hotel exposes the trap between unsafe housing and homelessness
A question remains in light of the dangerous conditions families endured at a now-shuttered Roswell hotel — and after cries for help at a similarly troubled apartment complex in College Park: How did we get here? “More than 100 rooms were occupied at the Economy Hotel when Roswell officials moved to shut it down last […]
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Condemnation of Chelsea Gardens apartments spark residents’ fear and outcry
Chelsea Gardens apartment residents continue to plead for help as they face eviction from their homes. Residents spoke out for the second time at Monday’s College Park City Council meeting. During public comment, resident Dontavious Moore said workers are tearing apart unoccupied units while residents are still living in nearby apartments. Water service interruptions have […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Lawsuit to stop lithium-ion plant in College Park dismissed, residents consider appeal
A Fulton County Superior Court judge has dismissed a lawsuit brought by three residents who are fighting the building of a lithium-ion battery storage facility project that abuts their neighborhood. The residents are considering an appeal. Attorney Linda Dunlavy filed the lawsuit last October on behalf of South Fulton residents Carmen Miller, Steven Mack and […]
