Mold Remediation in Cumming, GA

At the center of the dispute is a $134-million government building under construction outside Cumming’s city limits.

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CUMMING, Ga. — Tensions are rising in Forsyth County as the mayor of Cumming accuses the Board of Commissioners of trying to manipulate the city into supporting a controversial change to Georgia’s state law.

At the center of the dispute is a $134-million government building under construction outside Cumming’s city limits — a building that commissioners are legally unable to vote in due to state constitutional restrictions.

Under the Georgia Constitution, local governments are required to conduct official business within the county seat to ensure fair access and support for local businesses. This rule is designed to keep important decisions tied to the city where the county government operates.

State Representative Lauren McDonald, who represents Forsyth County, explained that in 2022, the county attorney and county manager approached him with a request to change the law. They wanted to allow commissioners to vote on issues outside the city limits of Cumming, particularly as they planned to build the new government building.

"They were wanting to build a building outside the city limits, and (they) knew that they could not vote in it," McDonald said. "At that time, I was not willing. I wanted to help our county but did not want to go and do that to every other of our 158 counties. I didn't think it was fair."

Despite McDonald’s reluctance to push the change, Forsyth County commissioners voted 3-2 in favor of building the new administration building outside Cumming’s city limits. The project, which has now begun construction, came with a hefty price tag of $134 million. However, the commissioners are still struggling to find a way to legally vote on decisions related to the building.

County Commissioner Cindy Mills, one of the two votes against the project, expressed frustration over the situation.

“After spending an exorbitant amount of money, it just seems unbelievably ridiculous that we would have put ourselves into this position,” Mills said.

She also criticized the pressure being put on state legislators to change the law to accommodate the county’s decision.

“State legislators are getting pressured. You gotta fix this, you gotta fix this. But that’s not their mistake to fix. We did it, and we did it with our eyes wide open,” Mills said.

The tension escalated in November when Cumming Mayor Troy Brumbalow received a surprising resolution from the county. The document, a standard water easement request, was not a simple approval as expected. Instead, it included a resolution asking the city to support a change in the law to allow voting outside the county seat — something Brumbalow viewed as a quid pro quo.

"It was a resolution that the county prepared saying that the city would not oppose the county going to the state delegation to change the law," Brumbalow said. "The county had prepared this document as if it came from the City of Cumming. This is like a quid pro quo -- we'll give you this easement if you'll sign this to help us. We don't operate that way."

The city council, according to Brumbalow, unanimously agreed that official government business should remain within Cumming, and it would not support any efforts to change state law.

“It’s my opinion we need to change the wording to ‘no opposition’ to ‘strongly opposes.' Motion carries 3-0," Brumbalow said in a city council meeting on Nov. 6.

“The city is not gonna be bought for a $4,000 water easement to support something that could have devastating effects on businesses within small cities across the state," Brumabalow said.

Mills, who remains perplexed by the proposal, said she was unaware of any board discussion regarding the resolution.

“I’ve been on the board for 12 years. Never known of a resolution being sent to someone without board authority, without a board discussion,” Mills said. “It is dangerous for government. It’s dangerous for the people.”

A spokesperson for Forsyth County said the county attorney sent the resolution to the city without board approval because it seemed to be consistent with prior board direction.

"Earlier communications between the Mayor and the County Manager led staff to believe the City had no opposition to the County administration building being located at Freedom Parkway," the spokesperson said. "In prior conversations, the Mayor had expressed support for, or at least indifference to, the County’s Administration Campus being located on Freedom Parkway and therefore staff believed the City would support the County conducting its official business, including votes, at that site."

The spokesperson said the county attorney did not obtain board approval before sending that resolution because it was consistent with the Board’s already-taken action approving the purchase of the new administration building.

"No further manifestation of BOC direction is needed," the spokesperson said. "County staff are authorized to take action consistent with prior Board direction. County staff believed (and continue to believe) that anything it can do to facilitate changing the archaic law regarding 'County sites' is consistent with the objectives of the Board. It is unclear why the City is now concerned where the County conducts its operations."

This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Cumming|Local Event

Mon, Dec 2, 2024 at 6:30 PM

Music Authority Inc, 123 Merchants Square, Cumming, GA, 30040

Attention future rock stars. Auditions for the Music Authority Show Band Eclipse are being held at Music Authority. Eclipse plays at events and venues throughout Georgia and at some out of state gigs. For more information call 770-866-9066.

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Patients are scrambling to move their prescriptions temporarily.

CUMMING, Ga. — A north metro community is hoping a staple small business will make a comeback. Over the weekend, family pharmacy Goodson Drug Company in Forsyth County went up in smoke.

The company has been around since 1959 but has been at the specific location where the fire happened since 1970. While customers scramble to take their prescriptions elsewhere temporarily, they are talking about the memories they hold so dear.

RELATED: Fire ignites at well-known Cumming family pharmacy | What we know

Kathryn Clark, 9, was just getting to know the pharmacy. She shared why she loved it.

"The sweet people and the candy; it just feels warm," Kathryn said.

Kathryn said she will especially miss the one-of-a-kind quarter horse inside.

"It has some love in it," Kathryn said.

Chad Clark, 52, said he's been loyal to Goodson Drug Company since he was 14. He said the prescriptions weren't what made him feel better. It was the customer service from owner Jimmy Goodson and his family.

"I was really sick. And he says, 'I'm coming down there. I'll be down there as soon as we close the store and bring your medicine, and check you out, and make sure you're OK,'" Chad said.

Chad also explained that the staff would even work with patients who couldn't afford their medications and would often hand out treats, like coffee and cake, to adults, too.

"That just meant the world to me," Chad said.

Jayne Clark, 13, said she cried when she heard about the fire. She said she'd miss drinking soda from a glass instead of a can.

"I got a free Coca-Cola," Jayne said.

The symbols attached to those memories are now mostly reduced to ashes.

"It even burnt the medication and everything," Chad said.

Chad said he cried, too, just like Jayne.

"I was in tears for two hours," Chad said. "And my heart just broke."

Chad describes the pharmacy as the last untouched historical landmark in Cumming. And to the community, it was indispensable.

Kellie Clark, 11, said she wants to help raise money for the staff.

"I wish I could help build it back," Kellie said.

Goodson Drug Company released the following statement via a post on Facebook:

"We are hoping to be able to give copies for your prescriptions by the end of this week. We highly recommend getting new prescriptions from your doctor and having those prescriptions sent to a pharmacy of your choice. We appreciate all your thoughts and prayers! Our goal is to be back open as soon as possible and to continue serving our wonderful community."

Hundreds of comments confirm how badly the community wants it back.

"They had always helped out the community, now it was time the community should help them out," Chad said.

The Forsyth County Fire Department is still investigating the cause of the fire.

Authorities said this is a well-known family pharmacy and local icon that has been in the business for decades

CUMMING, Ga. — Cumming Square closed Sunday evening after a fire broke out at a well-known family pharmacy in the area, authorities said.

According to the Forsyth County Fire Department, firefighters were sent out to a reported commercial fire at 116 West Maple Street on the downtown square in Cumming just after 7 p.m.

This is the location of Goodson Drug Company at the corner of West Maple Street and Castleberry Road. Authorities said this is a well-known family pharmacy and local icon that has been in the business for decades. The company's website said Goodson has been open since 1959 but has been at that particular location since 1970.

Four counties sent assistance to FCFD, and the fire was brought under control within about an hour. No injuries have been reported.

Authorities said that no fire damage is believed to have extended into other businesses, although it is likely they may suffer water and smoke damage. Batallion Chief Scott Kennedy said Goodson's had a firewall that protected surrounding businesses.

He shared his own experience with the pharmacy.

"Basically getting some prescriptions filled — good family business. They've been here for a long time. They've really supported the community in a lot of different ways. So, hopefully, we'll be able to get them back on their feet," Kennedy said.

Forsyth County Fire will have units on the scene well into the night, performing salvage and overhaul operations. The agency said it is too early to tell the full extent of the building's damage but that an investigation is underway.

Prayers are going up for owner Jimmy Godson and his family via social media. They told 11Alive that the pharmacy is a staple in the community that they hope will rebuild.

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