Pubdate: Sat, 13 Jun 2009 Source: Fayette Daily News (GA) Contact: 2009 Fayette Daily News Website: http://www.fayettedailynews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5050 Author: Martha Barksdale Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) COMMISSIONER, AS CITIZEN, CALLS FOR HORGAN TO RESIGN County Commissioner Robert Horgan sat stonefaced during the public comments portion of Thursday's Fayette County Commission meeting, keeping both his composure and his elected office in the face of some tough criticism from citizens and a call for his resignation by a fellow commissioner. Horgan was arrested May 23 after an officer smelled marijuana in his vehicle during a traffic stop. He faces misdemeanor charges for marijuana possession. "This board cannot remove a sitting commissioner," Commission Chairman Jack Smith explained to the audience before he opened the floor to comments. "I want the public to understand. The voters put us here and, absent a felony act, only voters can remove us." An ethics complaint can be filed against Horgan at the county clerk's office. County Attorney Scott Bennett explained that a county attorney from another county would conduct an investigation and then the commission could decide on a penalty ranging from a reprimand, censure or a fine of not more than $1,000. Commissioner Eric Maxwell distributed a letter calling for Horgan's resignation. Maxwell said it is a privilege and an honor to serve in elected office. "But with that privilege and honor comes the heightened scrutiny of one's individual actions," the letter said. Maxwell went on to say he had spoken with dozens of Fayette residents and also county commissioners from around the state. "The overwhelming consensus is that the only reasonable, the only honorable and the only justifiable actions that should be taken is the immediate resignation of an elected official who violates the public trust," the letter said. It ended by saying he had spoken to Horgan personally to express his feelings. Maxwell signed it "a citizen of Fayette County, Georgia." Several people who spoke told the commissioners they felt their lack of action about the matter sent the wrong message. Dawn Oparah, who said she works with young people as her profession, said children often tell her there are double standards for conduct. She thanked Maxwell for expressing his opinion, and said she hoped he would encourage the other commissioners "to do the right thing." Former County Commission Chairman Harold Bost took to the podium to call the situation a "disgrace." He said county employees can be terminated for drug use, and he feels the same rules should apply for commissioners. "How can he have the audacity to show his face in these chambers?" - --- MAP posted-by: Doug