The attorney for the Rome City Commission, Andy Davis, has dismissed the three remaining ethic cases filed against commissioners.
The reviews, which were completed this week, found no wrongdoing.
A look back.
Mayor Sundai Stevenson – the complaint that was filed by Floyd County GOP Chair Jamie Palmer alleged that Stevenson illegally held a notary in another county while sitting on the Rome City Commission. Davis’s decision to dismiss the complaint says, “merely being a notary public does not rise to the level of appointment or compensation that could be reasonably expected to impair judgment or performance of city duties.” The complainant Jamie Palmer told CVN, “ I just hate that the city attorney dismissed my complaint without even speaking with me.”
Commissioner Bill Collins – the complaint filed by Ken Wright said that Collins should have restrained from voting for the building of a new middle school since his wife was on the school board. In his ruling to dismiss the complaint, Davis wrote “Commissioner Collins does not have a personal interest in the vote on the bonds for Rome Middle School. He is neither a creditor, debtor or a guarantor of the bonds. Neither is his wife, Faith Collins.”
Commissioner Craig McDaniel – the complaint filed against McDaniel stated that he used his position as a commissioner and realtor for personal monetary gain. Davis writes, “According to Commissioner McDaniel, he did not receive any commission on the sale of the Relax Inn. And when a zoning request for the area… came before the City Commission, he left the commission chambers while any discussion and subsequent vote was taken.”
The complainant Wendy Davis told CVN, “ It’s troubling that the city attorney dismissed my complaint without reaching out with a telephone call or email.”
A complaint filed against Commissioner Mark Cochran was dropped on Monday after the city spent close to $100,000 of tax payers’ money to investigate.
This then led to a vote where the city attorney gets to evaluate and vet all ethics complaint going forward. Three days later, all ethic complaints were dismissed. The Rome City Commission voted 7-0 in this favor.