Editor’s Note: The pressure is building for Demorest City Manager Kim Simonds to resign. She has not responded to Now Habersham’s recent requests for comment, but on May 2 she did answer a series of questions I posed to her about some of her recent actions that have led to calls for her to step down. While I included her comments in various articles, I believe it may be helpful to readers to have them consolidated to read in succession. Ms. Simonds kindly answered my questions on this occasion. She responded by email and all of her answers are presented here verbatim. – Joy Purcell, Now Habersham
1. In your letter to city attorney Joey Homans and in your comments to the media, you state that Robin Krockum was not fired for refusing to discipline an employee. If that is the case, then why was he fired?
I should not and cannot comment on personnel issues. I can, however, say that Chief Krockum WAS NOT terminated for his refusal to discipline his officer. Our Mayor has meticulously cultivated a culture of organizational dysfunction that has rendered some city departments unmanageable. We are working hard to correct that and unfortunately in that process, hard decisions must be made. The bottom line is It was time for a change.
2. Was Chief Krockum ever reprimanded, written-up, or otherwise disciplined by you for any reason prior to his firing?
His personnel file is confidential and I cannot comment on that.
3. Prior to firing Chief Krockum, did you at any point and time raise any concerns about his job performance with the full council?
Again, in reference to question 1 above, there have been multiple issues over the last few years regarding the inability to manage that department. Those issues have been discussed AT LENGTH with Council members, former City Managers, and the Chief.
4. Under what authority did you hire and swear-in Greg Ellingson as police chief?
This question was addressed in the letter to Attorney Homans you published.
5. In your letter to City Attorney Joey Homans, you reference a request you made to have all communication with the city attorney flow through you. Why did you request that?
That was not my request. It was a motion made by City Council on March 3, 2020 at a City Council meeting. Again, the letter addresses why they felt the need to name a central point of contact for the attorney.
6. Have you asked Police Chief Greg Ellingson to write-up the officer for the same reasons for which you asked Chief Krockum to discipline him?
I cannot discuss personnel matters.
7. Some people have criticized your recent decisions, others support them. How is this impacting you and your family and what would you like to say to the citizens of Demorest?
I really am dedicated to doing the best job I can for the citizens of Demorest. They are hard-working taxpayers who deserve so much more than they have been getting. This ordeal has definitely not been fun, but I know that it will be worth it in the long run.
8. Is there anything you would like to add?
I would like to add the following: The City Attorney is the personal attorney for the Mayor. So many Demorest citizens have questioned whether or not that is a conflict of interest. Mr. Homans even represented the Mayor in a lawsuit AGAINST the City of Demorest years ago. He more recently represented him in a civil suit in a local court. Since January of 2016 the City of Demorest has paid over $317,000.00 to Mr. Homans for legal fees. That is without the City being involved in any kind of litigation. The announcement for the meeting this past Tuesday night was absolutely legal. When Mr. Homans raised questions about it to me, I had someone from GMA review it and I personally spoke with one of the leading municipal attorneys in Atlanta to review it. Both said there was no problem. When Mr. Homans and the Mayor refused to participate in the meeting Tuesday night, I can only surmise that it was to avoid item #VII(C) City Attorney Conflict of Interest. Again, he counseled someone else against the City of Demorest. That ultimately brought us to the letter Mr. Homans received asking him to resign.
Thank you for the opportunity to respond.
