LAKE PARK — In a contentious Lake Park City Council meeting Nov. 5, Mayor Jena Sandlin faced intense criticism for waiving a ticket in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. 

The decision, which Sandlin described as a compassionate response to the disaster’s impact on residents, provoked a reaction among residents. Many argued that the mayor had overstepped her authority, with City Council Member Oscar Griffith leading a public call for her resignation.

The evening began with Sandlin reading a prepared statement to address the public outcry. “I want to apologize if my actions have offended you,” she stated. “It has never been my intent to take the law into my hands… Our public safety officers are here to serve. This was a time, I think, to warn the citizens of danger, not to immediately punish them with a fine on top of their losses.” 

Following her statement, the floor opened to public concerns. Citizens expressed frustration, challenging the mayor’s timeline and motivation. 

The meeting took a dramatic turn when Griffith stood to address the mayor, not as a council member but “as a citizen.” Griffith criticized the mayor’s apology as insincere. He went on to call for her resignation, citing prior instances where he alleges the mayor had similarly intervened in ticketing matters.

Griffith’s comments grew pointed as he referenced a private meeting with Sandlin, during which he claims she indicated a willingness to waive tickets in the future under similar circumstances. He asserted that the mayor’s actions had violated her oath of office, accusing her of misconduct in her position.

“You may have written a letter of apology, but there were a lot of things that were not stated in that letter of apology,” Griffith stated. “I am here to represent the citizens of Lake Park, Georgia, and I took an oath to do that.”

Griffith’s call for Sandlin’s resignation escalated the tension in the room, and as the council attempted to move forward with other agenda items, a verbal altercation erupted among attendees. Citizens shouted over each other with deeply divided opinions regarding the mayor’s actions.

Under pressure from Griffith and the citizens, Sandlin responded to the calls for her resignation with a reiteration of her point of view on the situation, and she stated that she would not resign.

The meeting ended with the council divided, and it remains to be seen if formal action will be taken in response to the allegations. 

Griffith doubled down on his criticism of Sandlin during an interview Monday, almost two weeks after the meeting. According to Griffith, the situation first came to light when the ticket recipient boasted about having the citation dismissed after contacting the mayor. Griffith noted that the ticket recipient does not live in Lake Park. This prompted him to investigate further.

Griffith discussed that the ticket had been issued around a week after Hurricane Helene, contradicting the mayor’s initial explanation that the ticket was given the day after the storm.

Reflecting on the heated City Hall meeting, Griffith was surprised to hear Sandlin mention that all the city council members wanted her to read some form of apology, while he instead requested her resignation.

“I was going to resign that night, but it would not be fair to the people because I had taken an oath as well,” Griffith said.

Griffith further asserted that the mayor’s actions deprived the city and state of revenue, emphasizing that only a solicitor or judge has the authority to reverse a ticket after it has been issued.

“I am here for the citizens, and I am going to continue to strive to do the right things,” he said. “I am not out to get anyone. I am not doing anything to anyone. I am just trying to do what is right.”

Mayor Sandlin did not respond to multiple efforts to contact her for more information in the days after the meeting.