July 13, 2025
At their meeting on July 7, Commissioners were presented a Resolution Opposing the Pursuit of Legal Fees by the State of Georgia and the Joint Development Authority against Concerned Citizens. Commissioner Asher Gray (District 4) added this Resolution as the last item on the agenda. (See copy of the Resolution below.)
When this item came up Commissioner Gray started the conversation saying that it was wrong to sue citizens fighting the Rivian plant with their own money. He also made the point that the BOC had been lied to with emails they had received about this issue. He wanted the Jasper County BOC to condemn the action and support the citizens’ rights to do so.
Commissioner Steven Ledford (District 5) said if this resolution was passed they would bite the hand that gave out LMIG (road) funds.
Commissioner Rob Alexander (District 3) said this action by the JDA and State was wrong, wrong, wrong. He added that Rivian was never vetted and he questioned if it would be a viable company. Commissioner Alexander also asked what would happen if the JDA decided that Jasper County would be the host county for a hazardous waste landfill for the Rivian plant. Would the BOC let that happen if citizens here in Jasper County fought it?
Commissioner Gray asked if anyone had any trouble with the wording of the Resolution.
Commissioner Ledford said he personally felt the same way as Commissioners Gray and Alexander, but was hesitant to sign a resolution that could possibly result in the county being adversely affected when it comes to money from the State.
Commissioner Gray read the resolution out loud, and then he made a motion to have the commissioners sign it. That motion failed 2-3. Gray and Alexander voted for it, with the other three voting no.
For more information on this case refer to a previous post—Pure Citizen Intimidation
https://taxdogs.wordpress.com/2025/06/21/pure-citizen-intimidation/
This court hearing will be August 13 at 9am in the Morgan County Courthouse.
“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.”—Desmond Tutu
Resolution by the Jasper County, Georgia Board of Commissioners
Opposing the Pursuit of Legal Fees by the State of Georgia and the Joint Development Authority Against Concerned Citizens
WHEREAS, six citizens of Morgan County—Edward Clay, Candance Beam, Alan D. Jenkins, Felton Jenkins III, Deborah Crowe, and James Gunn—filed lawsuits seeking judicial clarity on the legality of zoning exemptions and land use decisions related to the $5 billion Rivian Electric Vehicle (EV) factory slated for development on a 2,000-acre site between Rutledge and Social Circle; and
WHEREAS, these citizens—known collectively as the No2Rivian plaintiffs—acted in good faith out of concern for the environmental health, rural character, and lawful governance of their communities, particularly as it relates to potential impacts on groundwater, creeks, wells, and other shared natural resources; and
WHEREAS, the State of Georgia and the Joint Development Authority (JDA) of Jasper, Morgan, Walton, and Newton counties have initiated legal action to recover nearly $1 million in attorney’s fees from these plaintiffs, including $600,000 tied to the Morgan County case and $365,000 related to a near-identical case in Fulton County; and
WHEREAS, the pursuit of legal fees from private citizens—who were exercising their constitutional right to petition their government and seek judicial oversight—represents a troubling escalation that could deter future civic engagement and public accountability across the State of Georgia; and
WHEREAS, such action may create a chilling effect, sending a message that ordinary citizens who challenge powerful state-backed projects may face financial ruin for asserting their legal rights and raising community-based environmental and land use concerns; and
WHEREAS, this tactic sets a dangerous and undemocratic precedent, undermining trust in government institutions, discouraging public participation, and compromising the fundamental American principle that access to the courts must be available to all, regardless of income or political influence; and
WHEREAS, the Jasper County Board of Commissioners believes that citizens must be free to question, challenge, and participate in government decisions without fear of retaliation;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Jasper County, Georgia Board of Commissioners formally opposes the continued pursuit of legal fees by the State of Georgia and the Joint Development Authority against the No2Rivian plaintiffs;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board respectfully urges the State and the JDA to withdraw all petitions for reimbursement of legal expenses from the plaintiffs and to refrain from using public resources to pursue punitive legal actions against private citizens engaged in lawful democratic processes;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Jasper County Board of Commissioners affirms the right of all Georgians to seek judicial review of governmental decisions—particularly those that affect environmental health, public resources, and community planning—without fear of reprisal or financial intimidation;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Board encourages civic and legal advocacy organizations across Georgia to stand in defense of the citizens’ right to petition the government.
Denied this _7th__ day of ___July______, 2025, by the Jasper County Board of Commissioners.
Citizens, be informed and stay informed! Only by being informed, can the citizens understand what is being done and talked about, and then press our officials to make good decisions for everyone in Jasper County.
TWG
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This, to me, notwithstanding all of the other stuff going on at the national, state & local level, might be the single, most important issue right now in the GA Piedmont. My sincere thanks to Mary for being on the front lines of fighting this good fight.
To Hell w/ Kemp, the DCA & the JDA & the all the rest of them no account bastards!
'Til next time,
- MBM
