Jerica Richardson's Full Remarks

The vacancy notice was sent in a 3-0 vote, with Richardson recused and Chairwoman Lisa Cupid absent. Richardson will have at least 10 days to file her appeal in the Cobb Superior Court.

What follows is Richardson’s speech about her time on the commission and her rationale for appeal.

“Serving you, my constituents, has been one of the greatest honors of my life. And I can say that I spent every waking moment possible in an effort to continue to improve that service.

“The aspiration of our District 2 office was to be an effective engine to solve problems and empower people through education, connection, transparency and compassion, and to always be more strategic, compassionate, transparent and connected than the previous day.

“While there is plenty more to be desired from this governing body, we knew we were on our way to completing many of the systemic changes that we sought to make and promised to you.

“From increasing access to veterans benefits nationwide; prioritizing a mobility and infrastructure conversation; creating coalitions and a plan to empower Cobb and Georgia residents for decades through major regional federal infrastructure; taking steps to improving the living conditions and standards for residents who put their time, energy and efforts into their homes; acknowledging vibrant communities ripe for investment and partnership with the state; hosting major national events; raising the bar for community participation in local government; involving over 100 interns through our office for leadership and community development; funding multiple capital improvement projects including broadband expansion opportunities; maintaining a flat millage rate every year; navigating COVID recovery and launching workforce development programs, it certainly has been a busy four years together.

“And this was all done in the midst of two cityhood movements, several lawsuits, seven state legislative bills and an ethics complaint with a threatened consequence of removing me from office every step of the way.

“Now it was through the grace of God and the fervent nature of my community that despite the challenges, we still rose to meet each occasion.

“Yes, housing affordability, master planning, eviction rates, sustainability efforts, inflation and tax code improvements still remain on the list of outstanding items, but good work has been put forward in these areas as well.

“We were an office unafraid to listen, share and confront what seemed impossible. We were an office focused not just on educating, but empowering, so that each person could be able to contribute meaningfully, with facts and solutions.

“It is my hope that that is our legacy and torch that each constituent carries on whether I am here or not.

“While many may speculate as to my decision to hold an injunction against the county or take an appeal in federal court, my concern would be the potential jeopardization of future constituencies with representation that neither knows them, nor lives near them.

“I trust, however, that we can find a way to consider the real legal questions that are at hand. I trust that our courts will get to the point of deliberating on these consequences.

“I have always contested two things: that if my term were cut short, even just one day, it would be an injustice well beyond just me. And secondly, that the checks and balances that exist within our layers of government are sacred, and there to ensure that no agency grows too powerful or too large.

“In this debate, we’ve lost our ability to actually debate the real legal questions.

“The county never drew a map. The state drew two maps. The county cannot change its enabling legislation without using home rule.

“Where we are today is actually where we would’ve been two years ago on January 1st, right along with a special election.

“Setting the precedent that any elected official could possibly be removed at any time is dangerous and now we are watching the process happen before our very eyes.

“I am not ignorant to the historic nature and impact of this vacancy, this forced vacancy. But I am sensitive to the positions and mindsets of all the players in this long saga of challenges, and the distasteful and rampant and partisan nature that has seemed to overcompensate for the actual issues at hand.

“And while I respect the decision of the courts and have always claimed to do so by complying, I unfortunately fear that public opinion has clouded the facts in the case, causing a lack of due process on the merits of the real legal question and true consideration of the consequences of such decisions.

“I draw this inference not based on the qualifications, motives or intelligence of the opinion, editorialists and arbiters, but rather on the questions that are asked by these individuals and by the new case law, by which standing is now available.

“Local governments are the laboratories of democracy, where our nation’s republic either strengthens or shears. It occurs one layer at a time, threatening the delicate checks and balances that exist, trading deliberation for judgement, nuance for absolution, solutions for scapegoats, fact for conspiracy, civility for entertainment and logic for passion leads down a long trail, whose ending is usually unrecognizable to the travelers.

“Good intentions do not always bring one to a good place.

“Cobb has been ground zero for something. Time will tell what it is. But for now, I will be satisfied with my contribution in serving in this capacity as commissioner and continue to do so as I have done before I was elected — continue to seek out problems, identify real solutions and maybe inspire others along the way. It’s the engineer in me.

“I started my term with a proclamation to my colleagues that we should make it count. And I think we did just that.

“However, knowing the consequences of today — voter nullification, forced vacancies, missing representation and long-term precedence, I am sharing here that I will work to make sure my community receives the answers they deserve and that you are not forgotten.

Thank you,” Richardson finished.