Ralph Morgan challenges Vanell leadership

Mark Gibson named city manager By Charles Oliver Dalton Daily Citizen VARNELL — Former Varnell city manager Ralph Morgan questioned Mayor Pro Tem David Owens’ right to that position Tuesday night. That led a divided council to re-elect Owens as mayor pro tem, but only after Owens cast the deciding vote. Morgan presented the City Council and audience members at the council’s meeting with a copy of a section of the city charter that he said calls for the council to elect a mayor pro tem each January after an election has been held. Morgan said the council did not elect a mayor pro tem in January, and he asked if the decisions Owens has made as acting mayor since former Mayor Lindsey Metcalf resigned in May have been legal. “You are serving illegally, David,” Morgan said. “There has been a whole lot of things that have been done... [read full story]