LaFayette preservation board protests firing

The dismissal of a city official in LaFayette, Ga., has prompted members of the Historic Preservation Commission to resign in protest.

The city on Tuesday morning terminated Main Street and Economic Development Director Catherine Edgemon, City Councilman Chris Davis said.

He said at least three members of the five-member Historic Preservation Committee resigned over Edgemon's dismissal: Ronald Underwood, Frances Cobb and Connie Forrester.

"We'll continue and rebuild the committee," Davis said.

Underwood declined comment when reached by phone Thursday. Cobb and Forrester could not be reached for comment.

City Manager Frank Etheridge didn't return two calls left late Thursday afternoon.

Davis said Edgemon has five days to appeal the city's decision. If she doesn't, the city will post the job opening, he said.

Edgemon, who worked almost eight years for the city, declined to comment Thursday.

Davis said one of Edgemon's duties was working with the Downtown Development Authority, and whoever applies for the job will need to have experience marketing vacant buildings and promoting authority events.

"We have a new DDA," Davis said. "We have three new members that are really excited."