Mayor stripped of his power by City Council

MILLEDGVILLE - The Milledgeville City Council has voted to switch to a city manager form of government, effectively stripping Mayor Floyd Griffin of the powers Milledgeville&#39;s mayors have had for 200 years. <br> <br> With an unanimous vote Tuesday night, the council adopted a resolution asking Milledgeville&#39;s legislative delegation to introduce local legislation to change the city&#39;s charter to provide for a city manager form of government. <br> <br> It will leave the mayor with largely ceremonial powers. <br> <br> Griffin opposed the move but did not veto the council&#39;s vote. He has seven days to do so. <br> <br> After the vote, Councilwoman Denese Shinholster spoke to a group of about eight citizens who were present to offer their support for the mayor. <br> <br> She said she thinks the public needs to understand the language of the proposed charter change is not any different than what&#39;s in the present charter. She said it only takes away his power to veto and the power to appoint department heads. <br> <br> Shinholster said a city manager would streamline city government and make it more professional. <br> <br> Griffin, who wanted to hire a city administrator, said an administrator would have done the same thing without changing the charter. <br> <br> Griffin said, ``Milledgeville needs a strong mayor. This is a mistake for Milledgeville. I&#39;m not going to be mayor for life. I may decide I&#39;m not even going to run for re-election.&#39;&#39;

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