Albany Mayor Bo Dorough speaks on the impact of Ward 2 City Commissioner Jalen Johnson’s resignation and new role

ALBANY, Ga. – The City of Albany is in the process of filling another vacancy on the city commission following the latest meeting.

CBS 44’s Brian Roche has more.

This is the seat for Ward 2 on the Albany City Commission. It’s empty following Jalen Johnson announcing his resignation. We sat down with Mayor Bo Dorough about filling another vacated seat.

Mayor Bo Dorough spoke with us about the situation as Johnson announced he was resigning to take a position with the Trump administration.

Meaning the city will be holding another special election to fill the vacant seat.

“Hopefully it will be as soon as possible because the people of Ward 2, need to be represented on the city commission… So, as soon as we can get someone elected into office and sworn in, the better,” said Mayor Bo Dorough, City of Albany.

Johnson’s resignation comes just around two months after Ward 6 Commissioner, Demetrius Young passed away.

This unfortunately creates a problem, the Albany City Commission is currently left with only five active members.

As Mayor Dorough tells us, city resolutions need to pass with a minimum of four votes.

“Some things are rather contentious and decisions have to be made. Sometimes I’m on the short side of it. Sometimes I’m with the majority. But, a decision has to be made. And, again, when you have these 3 to 2 votes, that’s not a decision that can be enacted into legislation,” said Mayor Bo Dorough.

And, much like Ward 6, the city is working to hold a special election to fill the now vacant seats.

“So, I just want to assure the citizens of Albany that we’re doing everything we can to expedite these elections and the choice of commissioners to succeed the late Commissioner Young and Commissioner Johnson, so that the citizens of both Ward 2 and Ward 6 are represented on the city commission,” said Mayor Bo Dorough.

CBS 44 News reached out to the Dougherty County Board of Elections on if a date for the special election has been chosen.

Brian Roche reporting.

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