Former Chief Krockum now has a chance to return to his post
UPDATE (5:37 p.m. Wednesday): On Wednesday afternoon, Simonds said she declined Austin’s request.
“I decline your request that I resign as City Manager. It really is my hope that we can move forward and get the real work of the City accomplished,” Simonds said.
Mayor Rick Austin said the matter could be revisited at the May 12 meeting.
After a wild meeting Tuesday night, it’s up to former Chief Robin Krockum whether he wants to return as Demorest Police Chief after a three-week odyssey that started with his firing.
At the end of a raucous meeting that saw citizens piling their way into the courtroom from the rain and tossing social distancing aside, the Demorest City Council voted unanimously to reappoint Krockum. The appointment of interim chief Greg Ellingson to the permanent position failed earlier in the night.
City Manager Kim Simonds, who has taken heat from residents and officials since firing Krockum April 16, actually recommended they rehire him in a stunning turn. The appointment was passed unanimously to a thunderous uproar of applause.
Passions were raised high all evening as citizens and city attorney Joey Homans argued issues that have been boiling ever since the firing set everyone in town on edge.
The meeting started with the vote to officially appoint Ellingson, whose original hire raised concerns by several city officials due to how the initial swearing-in was handled.
The official recommendation from Simonds to appoint Ellingson as interim chief failed to pass as Councilman Sean Moore voted against.
“It’s not against anybody, it’s not for anybody, it’s just what I personally feel is right,” Moore said.
Homans said they need three votes to approve any motion.
After a brief stalemate on the matter, assistant police chief Casey Chastain was appointed as the interim police chief based on administrative structure within the Police Department. He was sworn in by Austin soon after the council meeting adjourned.
Several concerns were brought forward by upset residents, which included calling for the resignation of Simonds, Hendrix and Davis.
Tom Kirkbride, the attorney representing Krockum also appeared to notify the city officials of the potential litigation they face regarding his termination.
“I am going to go after you personally in your personal capacity,” Kirkbride directed toward officials involved with Krockum's termination. “I don’t want to go down this road, the best thing that we can do is restore this city’s good name and correct the wrongs and make this go away.”
Other concerns raised were regarding Davis’ residency issues and Hendrix’s wife participating in phone calls concerning city business.
Homans then addressed the situation of him being a conflict of interest and Simonds' request for his resignation. The letter stated some council members were concerned about him remaining the city attorney. “Since that time, I have now had two council members disavow that they authorized this letter,” he shouted.
He went into great detail about the communication that has transpired since he received the request for resignation on April 30 and his experiences since the termination of Krockum. He also reiterated how Ellingson’s swearing-in following Krockum’s termination did not go by the city charter.
In conclusion of Homans’ address to council, he emphatically declined to resign.
Prior to the meeting adjourning, Austin requested the resignation of Simonds. She asked for the evening to consider and will respond by the end of city business hours Wednesday.
See the Friday edition of The Northeast Georgian for more on this story.