Jonesboro Mayor Donya Sartor is kicking off her next term with high-stakes changes to the city's police department, firing Police Chief Tommy Henderson and appointing Lt. Chris Cato as the interim chief. According to a report by Hoodline, the move was immediate and saw Henderson being stripped of his position and asked to return city-owned equipment. There's been no public explanation from Mayor Sartor, whose three-word response to an inquiry about the firing was simply, "I can't," before abruptly cutting off the conversation.
In her swearing-in ceremony at the First Baptist Church of Jonesboro, Sartor was celebrated by residents and officials alike. "It's exciting. I don't take for granted that I'm back at this place," she told the audience. Henderson's departure follows a controversial history that includes more than twelve hundred automated speed camera citations being refunded due to a technical error, Hawthorn wrote, per WSB-TV.
The city council is to quickly consider Cato's appointment while the Mayor looks to fill other vacancies and boost morale. Amidst allegations against her that have been dismissed by the Clayton County District Attorney, Mayor Sartor has been clear about her intention to reshape and lead the city beyond past issues.
But Sartor's actions haven't been without contention. She is accused of having fired former Sgt. Darryll Triplett in retaliation for his participation in an investigation against her. "What is that putting out to the rest of the employees, that if you go against Donya Sartor, if you say anything against Donya Sartor that she doesn't like, you're going to be terminated," Triplett said. The Mayor denies these claims and insists any criticism is baseless and racially motivated, as per WSB-TV.
As Mayor Sartor takes on a new term and the challenges that come with it, it's clear that her administration seeks to swiftly turn the page and start anew, while the reactions of the constituents and the police department are yet to fully unfold in the public eye.
