Latest news with #MayorMondays'
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
South Fulton mayor can get back into his office, but not his car
The South Fulton City Council has voted to allow Mayor Khalid Kamau to have access to his office and City Hall less than a week after taking those privileges away. The city council says the mayor will be allowed to resume his official duties on city premises, but he will not be allowed to use his city-issued vehicle. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] This comes after city council members voted last week to strip him of most of his privileges. For weeks, Channel 2 investigator reporter Ashli Lincoln has been looking into allegations that the mayor misused taxpayer money on international trips and lavish office furniture. RELATED STORIES: South Fulton mayor defends controversial spending during 'Mayor Mondays' event 'I told everyone no:' Former purchasing manager says South Fulton mayor has a problem with spending South Fulton mayor walks out of city council meeting early after expenses questioned $1,800 table, flight upgrades: Residents want South Fulton mayor investigated for his purchases Trip to Ghana, drone, flights: South Fulton mayor made $26,000 in unauthorized purchase The mayor previously told Lincoln that his trips were business-related and were a part of his economic development and world tour. On Thursday, the city released 28 minutes of body camera footage showing officers escorting the mayor out of City Hall and helping him empty out his city-issued Mustang. 'The City Council remains committed to upholding transparency, accountability, and responsible governance. These measures were not taken lightly but were necessary to protect the integrity of city operations. The Council will continue to evaluate the situation as the investigation progresses and will provide further updates as needed,' the city council said in a statement. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
City of South Fulton releases video of mayor being escorted from City Hall, emptying car
South Fulton city officials have released new body camera video of the moments Mayor Khalid Kamau, now known as Mayor Kobi, was escorted out of City Hall on Wednesday. The city says they released more than 28 minutes of video in an effort to be transparent and professional. In the video, the mayor can be seen exiting a restroom and being approached by officers. 'Mayor, I've been instructed to not allow you in your office and also, you aren't permitted to operate a city directly from the City Manager and the chief,' the officer can be heard saying. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The mayor then exits the building and empties out a Mustang car in the parking lot of his dog, clothes and other personal items. This comes after city council members voted late Tuesday night to strip him of most of his privileges. For weeks, Channel 2 investigator reporter Ashli Lincoln has been looking into allegations that the mayor misused taxpayer money on international trips and lavish office furniture. The mayor previously told Lincoln that his trips were business-related and were a part of his economic development and world tour. He must return his city-issued vehicle, a more than $1,000 recreational pool table from his office and equipment from his $20,000 media studio. The mayor must also return a $1,300 drone he purchased. RELATED STORIES: South Fulton mayor defends controversial spending during 'Mayor Mondays' event 'I told everyone no:' Former purchasing manager says South Fulton mayor has a problem with spending South Fulton mayor walks out of city council meeting early after expenses questioned $1,800 table, flight upgrades: Residents want South Fulton mayor investigated for his purchases Trip to Ghana, drone, flights: South Fulton mayor made $26,000 in unauthorized purchase The mayor shared a statement on Wednesday afternoon accusing the city council members of trying to stage a coup against him. 'Last night's 1AM vote was a coup by seven people to overrule the votes of thousands who chose me as Mayor in 2021 before they get to vote again in a few months. Yet there's no way to defend my name without attacking other Black people — which is exactly what those carving up South Fulton for trucking routes, warehouses and data centers are counting on. I am heartbroken to see us more willing to fight each other than our real enemies.' [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘I've met my obligation': Woman wants answers after HOA added 10 years onto timeshare
A metro Atlanta woman says she thought after 29 years she was finally out of her timeshare contract, but then it was re-upped for another 10 years without her consent. 'I feel like I've met my obligation. I've paid this for 29 years,' Sherri Crownover over Roswell told Channel 2 consumer investigator Justin Gray. It was back in 1996 that Crownover first signed up for the timeshare at Golf Club Villas at Big Canoe. 'We love the mountains,' she said. But her children are now grown, and her husband is seriously ill. 'We enjoyed the timeshare for years. And I just was looking forward to being out of it,' Crownover said. Her contract was set to expire at the end of 2024, but there is a clause in it that says, 'unless extended as provided in the declaration.' In January, Crownover got a bill for the $100 maintenance fees for 2025. 'They said, well, according to our records, you're still actively a member of this place,' she said. MORE STORIES FROM 2 INVESTIGATES: IDs exposed by metro Atlanta governments cause identity theft concerns South Fulton mayor defends controversial spending during 'Mayor Mondays' event 'Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde': Synthetic food dyes linked to behavioral issues 'It just keeps growing': New bill aims to tighten regulations on title pawn companies Even though Crownover never signed anything new or agreed to any extension, the timeshare's HOA voted last year just before her contract expired to extend timeshare agreements by 10 years. 'I would be dead and buried before they ever let me out of this thing,' Crownover said. 'Honestly, I can't say that I have seen a contract like this,' said Rich Folk from Timeshare Contract Resolution, a company that helps people get out of timeshares. 'For somebody to hold somebody's feet over the fire on a contract like this that was signed so many years ago if it's not illegal, it certainly should be.' A company called Capital Vacations manages the timeshare. But Capital Vacations said this was a decision of the HOA board, not them, telling us in a statement: 'The Association's Declaration allows for the Association to be extended for 10-year periods if a majority of the owners of the Association vote in the affirmative…This extension is a benefit to the owners and will allow them to enjoy all their ownership offers for at least another decade.' 'I'm not planning on paying it. I don't think I should have to,' Crownover said. A spokesman told Channel 2 Action News that Capital Vacations would be willing to act as a liaison between the board and the owner to 'see if there is a solution.'
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
South Fulton mayor stripped of most duties, must return expensive items he purchased
South Fulton city councilmembers voted late Tuesday to strip Mayor Khalid Kamau, now known as Mayor Kobi, of most of his duties and spending privileges. For weeks, Channel 2 investigator reporter Ashli Lincoln has been looking into allegations that the mayor misused taxpayer money on international trips and lavish office furniture. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The mayor previously told Lincoln that his trips were business-related and were a part of his economic development and world tour. During Tuesday night's council meeting, the council held a public vote to approve stripping the mayor of his oversight privileges and to remove his budget. He must return his city-issued vehicle, a more than $1,000 recreational pool table from his office and equipment from his $20,000 media studio. The mayor must also return a $1,300 drone he purchased. The other actions the council says the mayor will have to take regarding his office, LIVE on Channel 2 Action News at Noon. RELATED STORIES: South Fulton mayor defends controversial spending during 'Mayor Mondays' event 'I told everyone no:' Former purchasing manager says South Fulton mayor has a problem with spending South Fulton mayor walks out of city council meeting early after expenses questioned $1,800 table, flight upgrades: Residents want South Fulton mayor investigated for his purchases Trip to Ghana, drone, flights: South Fulton mayor made $26,000 in unauthorized purchase[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Study says pedestrians killed in crashes up 80% since 2009 in US
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has new research out showing that the number of pedestrian deaths due to vehicle crashes rose 80% since 2009. The year 2009 was itself a historic low for pedestrian deaths, according to AAA's research. In addition to the increase, AAA's study found that most of the increases in pedestrian deaths were from crashes that happen at night on 'urban arterial roads.' The study found that most of the pedestrian fatalities happened 'well outside of downtown' areas, usually more than four miles from city centers. 'It's not simply a matter of pleading with drivers and walkers to remain vigilant toward one another,' Montrae Waiters, AAA-The Auto Club Group spokeswoman, said in a statement. 'Getting a handle on the jump in pedestrian accidents means our state and local leaders are encouraged to team up and make our streets safer for both walkers and drivers.' [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: 12-year-old boy killed during race accident at GA motocross track GA lawmakers file bill to require the Ten Commandments be displayed in public schools South Fulton mayor defends controversial spending during 'Mayor Mondays' event The study also said that most of these crashes, resulting in deaths or injuries, happened in areas that are socially and economically disadvantaged. AAA said these were neighborhoods with older homes and more diversity with how the land is used, and where many residents live or work in the areas and rely on walking or public transit to commute. The areas are also where people 'are forced to walk in poorly lit areas with poor or no sidewalks and long distances between safe places to cross' the street. While there wasn't data broken down specifically by time of day, the Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety reported that there were 345 pedestrian deaths in Georgia in 2022, the most recent year available. From 2013 to 2022, there were 2,447 pedestrian fatalities, according to GOHS. In the same time span, fatalities nearly doubled, when comparing 2013 to 2022. More broadly, there were a total of 637 traffic fatalities in rural areas in 2022 and 1,159 in urban areas, the data showed. However, GOHS also said there were more fatalities in rural areas when measuring by deaths per vehicle miles driven. GOHS data shows there were 1.46 deaths per 100 million miles driven in rural areas, compared to 1.36 in urban areas. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
