Mayor Sherman Guyton has released the following statement concerning the constitutional amendments proposed by state Sen. Andrew Jones at a press conference on Monday, Feb. 22, 2021:
“Senator Andrew Jones from Cherokee County continues to divide the Gadsden community by not discussing any locally impactful proposed legislation that he sponsors with me, Gadsden City Council members, or other Etowah County mayors.
“The role of the state Senator is not the day-to-day operation of the city. Their role is to “hear” the city’s input, then accept or decline. Their role is not to initiate control over a city.
“Again, this is someone from Cherokee County dictating city actions to us.
“The hypocrisy of an elected official trying to enable a local sales tax county-wide in 2019 to use for development on the county’s megasite (SB383 – Regular Session 2019) and then trying to repeal a local tax now is apparent. He cannot deny his sales tax proposal.
“The latest amendments are nothing but a back-door power grab by a desperate politician while pandering to the people in an effort to control industrial development and blackmail the City of Gadsden.
“While Gadsden is dealing with the loss of Goodyear, who was our largest industrial employer, Sen. Jones wants to cut more from the city’s budget. This will only lead to layoffs or cuts in service — or both. Pointing this out is not trying to scare people; it’s being realistic.
“If Southside wants to do away with their occupational license fee, they can, but please let other cities manage their own budgets.
“These power grabs are a continuing effort by some who lost previous elections to take control of the entire county.”
– Mayor Sherman Guyton
