By Barbara Augsdorfer, Editor for the Effingham Herald

Even though both members of the Guyton Ethics Board agreed that Councilman Theodore Hamby violated the city’s ethics standards for elected officials, Hamby contends he did nothing wrong.

The ethics violation stems from Hamby’s attempt to extract funds from the Kelly Hoffner campaign for his endorsement and campaign management during the primary and runoff elections held in May and June.

At the regularly scheduled meeting of the Guyton City Council on Aug. 13 at City Hall, Mayor Andy Harville read the official reprimand for Hamby, which he and councilmembers Jeremiah Chancey, Michael Johnson, and Joseph Lee were to sign.

“You expect, demand, and deserve ethical and moral conduct from your elected officials,” Harville read from the reprimand. “Having found Councilman Theodore Hamby engaged in conduct contrary to this expectation, the mayor and the city council hereby reprimand Councilman Hamby’s actions, unethical behavior has no place in the city of Guyton and we will take all steps available to us to ensure that your elected officials govern with honesty and integrity. Thank you for the opportunity to serve this great city,” Harville concluded.

The second part of the consequences was for Hamby to publicly apologize.

“Mr. Hamby, the second part was a public apology,” Harville continued. “If you would like to take some time to speak on that.”

“Yeah, so apologies should be warranted when somebody does something wrong and I did nothing wrong, so no apologies tonight,” Hamby arrogantly said.

Harville moved the meeting along to the next agenda item without comment.

In other action, the Guyton City Council

·       approved the first reading of setting the millage rate for tax year 2024 at 2.140 mils;

·       approved a policy to allow Guyton Police Officers to take home police vehicles. According to the ordinance, among the benefits of this policy is: enhanced public safety through increased presence and visibility of police vehicles in the community; and enhanced rapid response of off-duty officers to designated emergencies. Among the many requirements, officers are responsible for keeping the department-issued vehicles clean, fueled, and maintained ready for duty.

·       after an executive session, approved a 3% pay raise for Police Chief Kelphie Lundy. Chief Lundy's base salary is now $70,040 per year.

·       approved a motion to accept the study results for a retirement plan for city councilmembers study by Atlanta-based Segal Co. The cost of the study -- $12,447 -- was previously approved by the city council. Including elected representatives in the city’s retirement has been discussed several times before with no resolution.

“This is the first step in a two-step process. The city does its retirement plan through the Georgia Municipal Association. Tonight's vote will enable the Georgia Municipal Association to draft the amendment to the retirement plan to add elected officials to it,” City Attorney Wes Rahn explained. “After that notice is provided to the Georgia Municipal Association, they will draft the amendment, and then council will vote on the language in the amendment.”

Rahn added that the proposed retirement plan was not voted on, just the authorization to allow the GMA to draft the documents to add elected officials to the city’s retirement plan.

Mayor Harville and Councilman Chancey have previously stated their opposition to the retirement plan. The vote to move the process along was Hamby, Lee, and Johnson voting for; and Harville and Chancey voting against.

No timeline was given for when the GMA may have the documents returned to the city.

After the meeting Hamby left quickly refusing to answer questions, saying only, “I defer all comments to the mayor."

The Herald requested a phone- or in-person interview with Hamby, which he refused, saying he would “be happy” to answer questions via email. After several requests, Hamby has yet to respond.

The proposed millage rate will have a second reading and a vote at a special-called meeting, Thursday, Aug. 22, beginning at 6 p.m. at Guyton City Hall.