Thanks to the verbal outpouring of opposition from Blue Ridge City Councilwoman Rhonda Haight, Councilman Nathan Fitts and numerous readers of The News Observer, Georgia House Bill 739 has been changed.
This is the local legislation mentioned in posts to The News Observer’s Facebook page and website Monday that would have given the Blue Ridge City Council the right to appoint successors for the unexpired terms of council members to the mayor, taking away the right of citizens to elect their leaders.
Speaker of the House David Ralston responded to the efforts of those who called his office and the provision allowing appointments rather than elections was removed. The bill now only contains staggered terms for council members.