Stockbridge mayor sues DDA members

As a yearlong legal dispute between the Stockbridge City Council and its Downtown Development Authority continues to work its way through the courts, Mayor Tim Thompson filed suit individually this month against three DDA board members challenging their eligibility. A Dec. 18 hearing was held in Henry County Superior Court for Ron Castillo, Rocio Camacho and Vivian Thomas-Smith to show cause for why they should not be ousted, but the matter was continued until a later date. Thompson’s action was taken without council discussion or approval, and it was not discussed at a called meeting the same day. The council took the position in early 2014, right after Thompson and two new council members took office, that the DDA was not properly constituted last year and does not officially exist. The DDA later filed a legal action asking the court to make the determination.