City of Hartwell to Offer Open Records Act Training for Boards, Commissions

The City of Hartwell is following in the footsteps of Hart County and will begin training for its boards and authorities on the Georgia Open Records Act and Georgia Sunshine Law.

At their regular meeting last week, the Hartwell City Council heard from mayor Brandon Johnson who said it was important that members of all boards and authorities understand the law.

“It’s obvious with the issues with the DDA, that there’s been some confusion about what the laws are,” said Hartwell City Manager David Aldrich. “So, the City is trying to make it available for authorities and commissioners or anyone who comes under those requirements to give them a little training and give them the basics of what they need to do or know.  They will also have open access to myself or the city attorney if they have any questions moving forward.” 

Aldrich said the city council has yet to decide exactly how the training will take place.

“We could very well do it through the City attorney and myself, or we could possibly do it through the Department of Community Affairs or the Institute of Government, so we do have several options,” Aldrich said. 

Aldrich did not indicate when that Open meetings training would begin.

The move comes on the heels of a recent complaint against the Hartwell Downtown Development Authority by former executive director Mitch Skelton.

Skelton was fired by the DDA board in mid-November in a closed session, and then asked by the former board chair to keep his firing quiet – all in violation of the Georgia Sunshine Law.   Skelton then filed a complaint with the State.

The former DDA board chair and several board members resigned and new members were installed.   Aldrich said it appears that situation has been resolved.

“I think so. I think things are stabilizing now so we will hopefully get things put back together and move forward again,” Aldrich said.