Tempers Flare at City Council Meeting

The Johns Creek City Council meeting Monday night began as rather routine, but ended with one City Council member questioning four others on their motives for investigating the mayor.

After the City Council had worked through the agenda of approving bid awards and an agreement with Forsyth County, City Council member Kelly Stewart announced she had a question for city manager John Kachmar. Mayor Bodker asked if the question had to do with the investigation against him. She answered yes and and he recused himself.

Stewart then began questioning Kachmar on the date he contacted Robert Wilson, the attorney investigating the mayor. "You contacted Mr. Wilson on the morning of June 17, but council didn't vote on deciding to have the mayor investigated until that evening. Who gave you instructions to contact him."

Kachmar responded that he makes lots of calls and gathers information for City Council members. "They asked me to get names of three law firms, I have to respond to what I'm asked to do."

Kachmar told Stewart he had engaged Wilson the next day after the City Council decided to move forward with the investigation. Kachmar said he was told by five council members (including Bev Miller who has resigned to run for mayor) to hire Wilson's firm. He added, "I told them I thought it was not a good strategy."

The meeting continued with Stewart asking Kachmar more questions about invoices and why she has not seen recent invoices despite asking for them several times. "Three invoices have been paid, two to Wilson's law firm and one to Carothers' law firm," he answered.

City Council members Randall Johnson and Karen Richardson spoke up explaining their decision on why the decision to investigate the mayor was made. 

Then Stewart asked Johnson to explain the fines levied on him for filing late with the state. "I've had computer issues," explained Johnson. "It's all been explained."

Stewart said she found it ironic that Johnson was one of the council members investigating the mayor when he could be guilty of "possible violations."

Johnson reminded Stewart that "the reason for this investigation is because the mayor refuses to turn over needed information."

Stewart questioned why the investigator is digging back seven years and why did they wait so long? "It's where the investigation has led him," answered Johnson. "People are coming out of the woodwork."

To add to the evening, two people in the audience, Scott Bartsdale and Bock Grey came forward during the public comment period to speak out about the investigation. (See Bartsdale's comments on attached video).

"This has been a very good dialogue," said Grey addressing the City Council at the end of the meeting. "We as Johns Creek citizens have the right to know. But $60,000 to investigate adjustments on rentals? Really?"

Read more:

What Questions Do You Have About the City Council's Investigation

Mayor Bodker: Why He's Not Turning Over His Records

Johns Creek City Council Responds to Mayor's Statements

City Council Decides to Subpoena Mayor Bodker