We, the undersigned citizens and residents of the City of Fairburn, respectfully demand that City leadership reverse the wrongful impeachment (or removal) of Councilwoman Samantha Hudson.

 

Why this matters
Our city depends on trust, good governance, and accountability of elected officials. But that trust is eroded when disciplinary actions against an elected representative are done arbitrarily, without transparency, and in violation of the rules that should protect all citizens — including elected officials themselves.

Key Concerns & Legal/Governance Issues
Below are the principal concerns that we request be addressed at the hearing on October 30, 2025:

-Lack of proper authority / legal basis for “impeachment” of a council member

-Under Georgia municipal law, a city council member cannot simply be “impeached” at the whim of an ethics board or city leadership. Any disciplinary or removal process must strictly comply with the city charter and the city’s ethics/discipline ordinances — including notice, due process, opportunity to respond, full Council vote, etc.

-We believe that none of those required steps were properly invoked or approved by the full Council before the ethics board’s action.

-The Georgia Municipal Association’s model code of ethics emphasizes that an ethics ordinance should include due process procedures for elected officials charged with violations (notice, ability to respond, representation, etc.).

 

Abuse of procedural authority by the Mayor / bypassing Council approval

-We believe the Mayor has repeatedly taken actions bypassing required Council oversight or approval, using procedural authority in a way that favors his agenda and undermines checks and balances.

-Such actions, if unchecked, can undermine the balance of power in our city government and violate both our charter and principles of fair governance.

Questionable merits, fairness, and accuracy of the September 30, 2025 ethics board review

-We have serious concerns about the process, the evidence relied upon, and the fairness of that review.

-We believe the charges made against Councilwoman Samantha Hudson may have been based on misinterpretations or incomplete information, possibly motivated by hostility to her transparency efforts.

Right and duty of a council member to request transparency & records

-As an elected official, Councilwoman Samantha Hudson has a duty and entitlement to request access to city financial records, budgets, contracts, and related documents in order to fulfill her oversight responsibilities — so long as her requests are lawful, reasonable, and within her official role. We believe it was, and now have concerns about the legitimacy of our city council. 

-Her requests for transparency should not be construed as misconduct or disloyalty; rather, they are consistent with democratic accountability.

-We believe she has been met with bias, harassment, and retaliation precisely because she pursued financial transparency and open records, rather than from any valid ethical lapse.

Unfair bias, harassment, and retaliation

-We fear that the punitive action against her stems from political retaliation rather than genuine ethics concerns.

-She has faced repeated hostility for doing nothing more than holding city officials accountable and pushing for more openness.

-An ethics process should be impartial; no person should be penalized for asking legitimate questions or exercising oversight, provided it is done lawfully.

What We Demand
Therefore, we the undersigned petition this:

-That the City of Fairburn rescind the removal or impeachment action against Councilwoman Samantha Hudson; and, if a decision is made that the impeachment shall stand, that the City of Fairburn grant a new and fair hearing conducted in accordance with proper legal and ethical procedures.

-That the hearing on October 30, 2025, be conducted in public with full access, and that Councilwoman Samantha Hudson be allowed legal representation, to call witnesses, cross-examine, and present documents.

-That the city provide all underlying evidence, documentation, meeting minutes, and relevant records in advance to both Councilwoman Samantha Hudson and the public.

-That any ethics or disciplinary action be strictly bound by the city charter and any adopted ethics/discipline ordinance, and be approved (or rejected) by the full city council — not by unilateral action by a select board or official.

-That protections be put in place to prevent political retaliation or abuse of process by any mayor or council majority in future actions.

-That the City Charter and ethics ordinance be reviewed, clarified, and (if needed) amended to ensure that no council member can be sanctioned without due process, council approval, and transparency to citizens.

Why Citizens Should Support This
-Because every elected official deserves fair process, not summary removal.

-Because this sets a dangerous precedent: if one council member can be removed without proper procedures, any dissenting member could be ousted similarly.

-Because transparency and accountability in city finances and practices benefit all communities and build trust.

-Because the integrity of our local government is at stake — we cannot have arbitrary discipline that undermines representation.

-We respectfully request that the City Council, the Mayor, the ethics board, and your office hear our voices, protect due process, and reverse the wrongful action.

Thank you for your consideration.

Concerned Citizens of the City of Fairburn