Empty Nest
Sponsored section ►►PAGE 20
Meet the candidates 4 running for City Council spot ►►PAGE 4
‘I have a choice’
Survey seeks parental feedback ►►PAGE 14
Losing a legend
Hatcher Hurd on the passing of B.B. King ►►PAGE 8
May 27, 2015 | forsythherald.com | 75,000 circulation Revue & News, Johns Creek Herald, Milton Herald & Forsyth Herald combined | 50¢ | Volume 18, No. 27
City holds Memorial Day celebration By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com
Veterans bow their heads for the moment of silence.
KATHLEEN STURGEON/STAFF
CUMMING, Ga. — American flags filled the Avenue of Flags at the city of Cumming’s Memorial Day ceremony May 22 for the 20th year. The ceremony was held at the city’s Veterans War Memorial, 301 Veterans Memorial Blvd., and the theme was “Twenty Years of Remembrance: The Avenue of Flags, 1995-2015.” Each year during the ceremony, several new American flags are added to the avenue, each in memory of one or more local veterans who served their country in war time or peace. Currently, the Avenue of Flags features some 211 flags. Another 10 were added this year. Additionally, the names of three veterans were added to two flags that are already a part of the avenue. The flags have all been donated by family members of the late veterans, all of whom
earned the honor of a military funeral at the time of their passing in acknowledgement of their service to the United States. “The Memorial Day ceremony is always very moving,” said Alison Smith, lead organizer of the event. “This year’s event should be especially meaningful since we are marking this milestone anniversary of our Avenue of Flags.” The ceremony drew a crowd of about 500 people. “Everyone at the city of Cumming feels events such as this are important because they bring our entire community together to honor those who are probably our most valued members of society – those who have fought to protect all the things that we hold most dear in our nation,” said Crystal Ledford, public information assistant for the city. “This event in particular is very important because we are pay-
See MEMORIAL, Page 22
Sexton impeachment investigation closes By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com CUMMING, Ga. — Following Councilman Rupert Sexton’s retirement, the Cumming City Council brought to an end May 19 its impeachment investigation against him, which began in December 2014. “As a result of the resignation of Rupert Sexton, the impeachment proceedings are now moot,” said City Attorney Dana Miles. “I request a motion terminating those proceedings.” The councilmen voted unanimously to close the impeachment investigation.
Sexton retired from his Post 1 position May 1 after more than 44 years in office. The investigation was not the cause for his retirement, Sexton said. Last December, the council held a special called meeting regardSEXTON ing leaked documents and the possible impeachment of Sexton. The documents revealed Miles and Angela Mullinax, Mayor H. Ford Gravitt’s long-term girlfriend, were receiving health insurance, although they
are not full-time city employees. Some members alleged Sexton was responsible for the leaked documents, which they said illegally released private information about city employees on social media. Sexton denied releasing any documents. When asked why his girlfriend was on the list, Gravitt admitted to putting her on the list. “She does a lot of work for the city of Cumming,” said Gravitt at the time. “I put her on [the list]. I think the city pays $663 a month for her insurance – that’s it. I think we got a good bargain.” Miles, who also does work for the
city but isn’t a full-time employee, was also on the leaked list. He said that other city attorneys in the state receive health insurance as a form of payment, so he believes it’s not a conflict of interest. The city uses the Georgia Municipal Association for insurance coverage, and its policy says in order to receive health insurance benefits, the employee must be full-time. The council then voted to create an investigatory panel, which interviewed Gravitt, Councilman Lewis Ledbetter,
See SEXTON, Page 4
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