A City council member in the City of Brooklet has resigned from his post over what he says is a ‘disturbing pattern of behavior’ by the newly-sworn mayor, which includes alleged ‘blatant misuse of city government funds and resources for personal gain.’
Councilman Johnathan Graham resigned Friday.
A letter to his fellow council members, the mayor, and staff was provided to The Georgia Virtue Friday.
From: Johnathan Graham<johnathan.graham@brookletga.us>
Date: Fri, Mar 1, 2024 at 5:19 PM
Subject: Councilman Graham’s Resignation
To: Brad Anderson <brad.anderson@brookletga.us>, Nicky Gwinnett <nicky.gwinnett@brookletga.us>, Rebecca Kelly <rebecca.kelly@brookletga.us>, James Harrison <james.harrison@brookletga.us>, Hubert Roughton <keith.roughton@brookletga.us>, Lori Phillips <lori.phillips@brookletga.us>, Melissa Pevey <melissa.pevey@brookletga.us>, Gary M. Roberts <gary.roberts@brookletga.us>, Lisa Tollison <lisa.tollison@brookletga.us>Dear Mayor Gwinett, Brooklet City Council and Staff,
It is with great disappointment and a heavy heart that I submit my resignation from the City Council of Brooklet, effective immediately. After much contemplation and reflection, I have come to the conclusion that I can no longer in good conscience continue to serve under the current leadership of the newly sworn-in mayor.
Throughout my time on the City Council, I have witnessed a disturbing pattern of behavior by Mayor Gwinett that has deeply troubled me. The blatant misuse of city government funds and resources for personal gain, the attempts to circumvent the city charter with questionable actions regarding water well usage and business licenses, and the complete disregard for the well-being and morale of the city staff have all contributed to my decision to step down from my position.
The toxic environment that Mayor Gwinnett has created within City Hall has made it an unbearable and hostile place to work. His focus on self-interest and personal agendas has overshadowed the needs and concerns of the citizens of Brooklet, as well as the dedicated employees who strive to serve them every day.
The recent hiring of a city attorney, only to see him resign just 30 days later due to the untenable circumstances created by Mayor Gwinett is a clear indication of the chaos and dysfunction that has come to define this administration.
It is evident to me that there is no positive path forward under the current leadership, and I refuse to be complicit in actions that go against the principles of integrity, transparency, and respect for the rule of law. Therefore, I believe that the only way to maintain my self-dignity and uphold the values that I hold dear is to step down from my role on the City Council.
I want to thank the residents of Brooklet for entrusting me with the privilege of serving as their representative on the City Council. It has been an honor to work alongside dedicated colleagues and city staff who truly care about the well-being of our community.
I hope that my resignation will serve as a wake-up call to Mayor Gwinnett and the rest of the city leadership to reconsider their actions and prioritize the best interests of the people they were elected to serve.
Sincerely,
J.Graham
