Controversy surrounding Smyrna Councilman’s resignation and replacement

The usual calmness of a work session was replaced with turmoil for members of the City of Smyrna government during a recent meeting when tensions between Mayor Derek Norton and longtime Councilman Charles “Corkey” Welch spilled into the public domain. The two Smyrna leaders clashed over the process for replacing former Councilman Lewis Wheaton, who resigned. Wheaton, a professor in Georgia Tech’s School of Biological Sciences, was first elected to the seat in 2019.

At question is the process for replacing the resigning Councilman. Concerned with the process, Welch sent an email to Norton and city attorney Scott Cochran that questioned whether a replacement for Wheaton could actually be appointed. Smyrna’s charter says the council can replace one of its members who resigned if that person officially left their role within six months of an election for that seat (Wheaton’s resignation became official May 10). Welch questioned if Wheaton still had a residence in his ward and thus represented the area within six months of the Nov. 7 election date.

The work session conflict stemmed from Welch’s email seeking a legal opinion on the process. Cochran and Norton informed him of the six-month policy. Welch told a media outlet, “I was unclear about what the city bylaws say about appointment versus having to have a new election, and I went back and read what’s required as part of our charter, and I’m still unclear.” In response to Norton and Cochran’s email on the process, Welch sent another email saying, “I’m calling BS. This whole issue is beginning to sound like a conspiracy to commit election fraud. I won’t be part of it. It is unethical and illegal.”

Welch’s email comments were met with a swift response From Mayor Norton who said, “Without any knowledge of conversations had or associated facts, Mr. Welch jumped to the conclusion last week that there must be some conspiracy in Smyrna involving the Ward 7 council seat vacancy.” During the meeting, Norton told Welch, “You sent that to me and (Cochran), so you’re either saying I’m unethical and doing something illegal and in a conspiracy to commit election fraud, he is or Lewis is, and I’ll tell you, all three of us don’t appreciate it.”

Wheaton’s preferred replacement is Kathy Young, former Smyrna Education Foundation president. He and the rest of the council support her appointment. It is unclear at this time if Young plans to accept the appointment.

Welch shared his thoughts on sending his email saying, “If indeed there was some plan to delay (Wheaton’s) resignation just so we could appoint somebody to that position, then that’s wrong,” he said. “If that’s what happened, we’re putting somebody in there and going beyond what the city bylaws say, and to me that’s election fraud.” Norton responded saying, “But that’s not what happened.” Describing the councilman’s rhetoric as election-year fodder, Norton continued his criticism of Welch saying, “Unfortunately, he’s taken what I view is national rhetoric, talking about election fraud and conspiracies and all of that, and brought it to Smyrna, Georgia, and there’s no place for that garbage here,” Norton said. He went on to suggest it’s time for Welch to step aside from the City Council after the email debacle. Norton pointed to Welch having voted against numerous initiatives and policies supported by a majority of the council, including Smyrna’s nondiscrimination ordinance and downtown improvements. Said Norton, “This is yet another in a long line of examples of Mr. Welch being in office too long and out of touch.”

Responding to the mayor, Welch said, “Derek, you’re a big fella, you can handle (it). You’re in politics, you need to have thick skin.” Smyrna’s mayor and the entire seven-member council will be up for re-election in November. Welch has served since 2011 Ward 4 Councilman. After serving four years as the councilman for Smyrna Ward 1, Norton was elected mayor in 2019.

Norton and Welch have both indicated they plan to seek reelection.