Cohutta Council Restores Police Department, Shields City Power from the Mayor

The Cohutta Town Council voted to reinstate the Cohutta Police Department after Mayor Ron Shinnick dissolved it, citing municipal charter requirements for 30 days’ notice and a stated reason before terminating an employee. They’re pursuing an emergency ordinance to prevent the mayor from disbanding the department without council action for 30 days, and patrols are to resume with the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office handling calls in the interim. The meeting was tense, with the mayor leaving abruptly as the council moves to stabilize police services.