COVINGTON, Ga. - Covington City Councilman Chris Smith raised concerns about the council’s communication Thursday night during a council work session, raising concerns on how the council communicates via email, phone and social media.
He said, previously the council had agreed to respond to emails within 24 hours from it being received. However, he sent an email to the entire council twice over the May 20th weekend and had not received any response.
Every councilmember, excluding Smith, has been issued a city-owned iPad of which has internet available at all times, he said.
Covington Mayor Ronnie Johnston said these emails are not an isolated situation, however email is not always the best way to contact each councilmember.
Johnston and the majority of the council agreed that phone or in-person conversations were their preferred method of communication.
One issue Johnston raised was how the emails sent between councilmembers can be twisted on social media into something and he has become “guarded.”
“Don’t have a neck and two faces,” Councilwoman Ocie Franklin said. “That’s not fair, it’s not fair and it’s not true.
“When things get personal, it’s out of hand.”
Franklin said she respects the entire council and expects the same in return when it comes to how they portray each other in public.
“It’s not about the old way and the new way, it’s about right and wrong,” she said.
Members of the council agreed to make an effort to respond to communication efforts in a more timely manner.
