Dougherty Co. Commission meets following admin’s firing

A heated meeting...

June 5, 2023

Matthew Crumley,

ALBANY, Ga. – Tension was palpable at Monday morning’s Dougherty County Commission meeting, as commissioners met for the first time since the decision to terminate County Administrator, Michael McCoy.

And, it was a packed house, as many came to voice their thoughts to the county commission following the decision a couple of weeks ago.

Some were angry with the Commission over the decision…

“Proper public notice was not given on the vote to terminate Michael McCoy. If proper notice had been given, which is required by law, the public would have shown up, and voiced our concerns, and to support Michael McCoy. You deprived the citizens of the right to speak…” said Tom Gieryic, Albany resident.

“…I believe in Mike McCoy. I believe he’s the best for my new home. I’m not standing up here cause he’s my friend. I’m standing up here cause I told him what a great job he was doing. And, if I’m gonna tell a man that to his face, I’m gonna stand up for him,” said Mike Burrell, Dougherty Co. resident.

While others are siding with Commission Chairman, Lorenzo Heard about it…

“It’s time for us to get it together. To get past all these trivial things get them out of the way and allow you to lead. I thank you for having the courage to sit in that seat, and not to be getting orders and taking orders. Season’s change, things have to change,” said Sabrina Hayes, Dougherty Co. resident.

“We know that we have so many economic issues that are facing us and any individual, who does not think that economic development is part of their job does not belong in this job. You made a decision that many in Albany support, most of Albany supports. And yet, for some reason, a minority of people here seem to have an outside voice in our government…” said Othellius Cato, Dougherty Co. resident.