The ongoing saga between Tyrone Mayor Richard Santiago

and the town council took another turn Thursday night as the

town council refused to appoint Santiago's choice as town

attorney.

But the town may get an attorney soon, after

Councilman Ronnie Cannon offered a possible compromise early this week.

(See accompanying story.)

The town has been without an attorney since the end of

June when the contract for John Mrosek was not renewed.

Three members of the council want Mrosek reinstated, but

Santiago made his feelings clear on any reappointment.

"You have a greater chance of getting a 10-inch snowfall

now than seeing me recommend Mrosek," Santiago said.

Santiago delivered his harsh statement after the council

refused to approve his latest choice, Brad Sears, for the position.

Santiago said Sears and his law firm had represented the city

of Newnan since the 1940s and would give Tyrone the type

of representation it would need for its future growth.

The mayor asked the councilmen to only consider Sears

professional qualifications in making their decision, but the council

rejected the appointment with Councilmen Ray

Bogenschutz, Lisa Richardson and Ronnie Cannon voting against

appointing Sears.

When Bogenschutz said the town's charter called for

Santiago to go on the recommendation of John Mrosek by the town's

judge, Sharon Pierce, Santiago said he was not going to take the

recommendation of a contractor.

"The judge is really a contractor. Our charter doesn't

allow other contractors to appoint contractors," he said.

Councilman Ronnie Cannon said he was considering the

qualifications of all the nominees and said he was also going on the

recommendations of the judge and the city's staff. Cannon

wondered if Santiago's decision-making power wasn't being clouded

"You currently work for Councilman Stone. Is that

affecting your hard line?" said Cannon.

Santiago fired back that he was only doing what was best for

the town and Stone said the town needed to resolve the

situation soon.

"We've been without an attorney for a month. We've had

three qualified candidates. I don't know why anyone would want to

throw their hat in the ring now," he said.

The mayor reiterated the charter gave him the power to

appoint the town attorney, while the town council only had the power

to approve or deny his recommendation and not offer their

own appointee. He compared the situation to Atlanta, where the

Atlanta City Council favored the sitting airport manager.

Mayor Bill Campbell made a different appointment for the

post and the council begrudgingly went along with his appointment.

Santiago said he'll keep bringing recommendations until

the council approves his selection.

The town currently has two lawsuits against it, but

Town Manager Barry Amos said he believes the town's

insurance through the state's municipal association will cover the town.

The battle over the town attorney is the latest in a

divisive struggle that his pitted Santiago and Stone against the three

other council members.

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