Chickamauga mayor’s attorney addresses community questions

CHICKAMAUGA, Ga. (WDEF) — The Chickamauga City Council held a special meeting Friday at 4 p.m. to consider removing Mayor James “Trey” Deck III from office.

Council members have not publicly stated their concerns regarding the mayor.

After the meeting was postponed, Mayor Deck addressed a crowd gathered outside City Civic Center.

“I’m a Chickamauga boy,” Deck said. “I believe in we the people. And it doesn’t operate like that here.”

Members of the crowd cheered in response.

When a resident shouted that he was not part of a clique, Deck replied, “I am not in the clique.”

The council ultimately voted to table the special meeting regarding removal proceedings.

That decision left many residents with additional questions.

Council member Matthew Nave criticized the attendance limit for the meeting.

“There are 3,600 residents of this town, and limiting the removal of the mayor to sixty-six people is just not right,” Nave said.

Resident Matthew Murphy said the timing and access created confusion.

“At a meeting at a time where it was difficult to come, that is very sticky,” Murphy said.

Christian Hurd, a candidate for Georgia House District 2, said the process lacked transparency.

“I came to figure out what was going on, and I’m leaving still not knowing what’s going on,” Hurd said. “We’re going to have to get a bigger venue. This has to be very open and transparent. That’s what citizens deserve.”

News 12’s Lillian Yi spoke with Mayor Deck’s attorney, Jeremy Penland, about what he believes is driving the removal effort.

Penland said he is as confused as some residents about the reason behind the proceedings.

“I don’t know,” Penland said. “The information that we’ve received up to this point doesn’t really give us a reason or facts in support of any reasons.”

When asked what he believes is motivating the push for removal, Penland pointed to internal city politics.

“To be quite honest with you, I don’t think the entire council wants him gone,” Penland said. “I think that’s an issue with the city manager, and I think it is directly related to his campaign promise to remove him from his position.”

Penland added that he plans to ensure Mayor Deck’s due process rights are protected.

“Currently under the city charter, they’re not,” Penland said. “The city manager is moving forward with a hearing, and they’re not permitting cross-examination, subpoenas, and other due process rights, even an impartial panel. That is, in fact, another major issue and concern we have.”

Attorney Penland stated that the mayor expressed deep appreciation for the public support he has received, calling it overwhelming.

Penland said the mayor also wants to remind the community that nothing worth having or doing in life comes without pain or difficulty.

He added that while the current trials are challenging, the mayor believes they will ultimately lead to answers to long-standing questions and solutions to problems residents have faced for years.

News 12 has reached out to City Manager Michael Haney for a statement but has not yet received a response.

We will continue to follow this story and provide updates as more information becomes available.