In a significant moment for the Demorest City Council, Dr. John Hendrix participated in his last council meeting as a voting member on Tuesday night. Concluding a single term, Hendrix chose not to seek reelection this year, marking the end of an era for the city council.
At the end of the meeting, Mayor Jerry Harkness presented Hendrix with a plaque and expressed his appreciation, “ I appreciate you. I appreciate you as a council member. I appreciate the service that you have done for our community.”
After accepting the plaque, Hendrix replied, “ It’s been an honor to serve this city and the town I grew up in. I will always relish this.”
Hendrix made his final motion with the council to adjourn the meeting.
Controversial Term
Hendrix’s four-year term was marked by political tumult and controversies within Demorest, creating challenges that tested the resilience of local governance. The initial two years saw citizens requesting the resignations of Hendrix, Council member Nathan Davis, and then City Manager Kim Simonds due to political upheaval. Despite two failed recall attempts, Hendrix weathered the storm and continued to serve.
Throughout his term, Demorest faced legal challenges, including lawsuits filed by Piedmont University accusing city officials of improper water and sewer rate increases and other alleged illegal activities. While many officials were named in the lawsuit, Hendrix was notably excluded.
The council witnessed the dismissal and subsequent reinstatement of Police Chief Robin Krockum, as well as the departure of city attorney Joey Homans and city treasurer Joely Mixon.
Overcoming negativity
In the last two years, Demorest worked towards overcoming past events. Key changes included the resignation of City Manager Kim Simonds and the appointment of Mark Musselwhite to the position. The city, through its Downtown Development Authority, made significant strides, acquiring the old Demorest Elementary School property and implementing renovations that transformed the space into a new City Hall and council meeting venue.
The gymnasium was opened to the public and the ballfield saw upgrades that resulted in the recognition of former Eagle Scout Travis Roseman and the rededication of the ballfield to former Cub Scout Brent Lee Moore.
The city council saw the retirement of Piedmont University President James Mellichamp, who spearheaded the lawsuit against the city. They saw the lawsuit with the university settled out of court and the appointment of Marshall Criser as university president, a positive move that has garnered a renewed partnership between the city and the university.
The city has built a new pavilion in Demorest City Park to include bathrooms. All part of accommodating patrons of city events and the Glorious Fourth celebration held by the city each 4th of July.
Hendrix spearheaded the efforts for an ethics ordinance that was passed in November of 2022 resulting in the city becoming recognized by the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) as a City of Ethics.
Hendrix also saw the city become certified through GMA as a City of Civility, an initiative brought forward by Council member Shawn Allen. The city council adopted the Civility Resolution in February of this year. The civility initiative is for elected officials and staff to recognize that they can agree to disagree with stakeholders without shouting and disrespecting one another. It reinforces finding common ground in disagreements and working forward from that point in a positive manner.
Another GMA initiative, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB), gained traction under Hendrix’s guidance. The city council, in its pursuit of DEIB certification, will undergo training, pass resolutions, and identify areas of interest aligned with the initiative.
Hendrix did not seek reelection. Council-member elect Jimmy Davis won his election bid and will be sworn in in January and fill Hendrix’s seat on the Demorest City Council.
