Clarkesville City Council Member Leigh Johnston single-handedly stopped the transfer of W. Marion Street to the Clarkesville First United Methodist Church on Monday.
The church wants the street “abandoned” so they can better link their buildings with the former Habersham Bank location just across the street.
Marion Street is only a single block long, from Washington Street to Madison Street and while there had been concerns about public safety, getting fire trucks and other emergency vehicles to the church building, city staff seemed settled on the abandonment plan leading up to the vote.
With little discussion, City Council Members Franklin Brown and Tommy Burgess voted in favor, Johnston opposed. Members Barrie Aycock and Casey Ramsey were not there for the vote.
A moment of confusion followed as Mayor Terry Greene and City Attorney Janney Sanders discussed how many votes are actually required to pass a measure under Clarkesville’s rules.
There was uncertainty on that point Monday night so it looked like the church would get their street. Then Sanders said on Tuesday the motion did not pass, “The charter requires the affirmative vote of 3 councilmen or 2 councilmen and the mayor in the case of a tie for a motion to carry.”
Since there was a 2 to 1 vote that motion did not pass and City Council will need to vote again at the next council meeting.
