Mayor Jonesboro, Donya Sartor, resigns | What we know

Jonesboro, Ga. – The continuous tension between Mayor Jonesboro, Donya Sartor and the Local Council, seems to have reached a boiling point this week.

Team I Fox 5 learned that the rooted mayor gave his resignation during a public meeting Thursday morning

Mayor Donya Sartor resigns

What do we know:

The news came a few hours after a special meeting called. The only thing on the agenda was an executive session to discuss “personnel problems”.

An emotional saver told the members of the Council that they are leaving, but not until the completion of a criminal audit of the city’s finances. This audit was requested by the Municipal Council.

Her resignation comes against the background of a series of controversies and increasing tensions between the mayor and the council. There were litigation between them, an internal investigation by the mayor, a GBI well and fired a police chief.

Sartor denies any crime.

Her last day is April 19th.

Mayor Sartor addresses the Council

What do they say:

“I resign in the position of mayor of Jonesboro … April 19, 2025. I have especially selected this date, so that I can fully cooperate with the requested criminal audit,” the mayor said on Thursday. “Although, there were no specific accusations against me by the Council to make crimes.”

She added that she wants her mandate not to be rooted in the charges.

Mayor Jonesboro rooted

Chronology:

Dr. Donya L. Sartor, originally from Georgia and a long -term resident in Jonesboro, runs the city in March 2023.

In March 2023, Sartor made history becoming Jonesboro’s first black mayor, providing the position with over 260 votes in the special elections. Resident of the city for more than two decades, she has served previously at the Municipal Council, demonstrating a commitment to public services and community development.

Sartor’s mandate was not without challenges. At the end of 2023, accusations appeared accusing it of showing a firearm to a police lieutenant during an office session. The Georgia’s investigation office was called to examine the requests. Sartor acknowledged that he managed the firearm, but firmly denied any threatening actions, which suggests that the statements were politically motivated. Later, GBI found sufficient evidence to accuse him, and the problem was not presented to a big jury.

The tensions between Sartor and the Local Council also reached the foreground. In November 2023, a working session was transformed into a heated exchange, the members of the Council accusing the mayor of non -professional conduct and Sartor took racial prejudices between his colleagues. Discordia highlighted a wider struggle within the city administration, the members of the council and the mayor who debates the governing structure of the city and the formation of an ethical committee.

At the end of last month, the head of the Jonesboro police, Todd Coyt, and the assistant head of Audrey Dunlap and resigned suddenly. It is not clear whether their resignations are related to the ongoing stresses in the city administration.

Who is Dr. Donya Sartor?

Dig deeper:

With a robust education background that extends over 25 years, Sartor holds a license in arts at Emory University, a master’s degree at Clark Atlanta University and a doctorate in education at Georgia State University. Her educational efforts have informed her approach regarding the leadership, emphasizing the involvement and support of the community.

Sartor advocates for diversified homes, extended internet access and policies to protect green spaces, while promoting the development of sidewalks and bicycle strips. Its administration emphasizes a correct and equal representation, seeking to collaborate with citizens, organizations and companies to promote economic development and community progress.

As mayor, Sartor has led several initiatives aimed at raising the community. These include the organization of annual school offers, the launch of the “Adopt-A-Sior Citizen for the Holidays” program in collaboration with the Jonesboro Police Department and the inaugural holiday of the city of Juneteenth. He also partnership with organizations such as Atlanta Food Bank and Clayton County to provide essential services, such as food distribution and housing assistance.

See also:

Jonesboronewsgeorgia policy team