THOMASVILLE, Ga. (WTXL) — The City of Thomasville announced they will appoint a temporary replacement for suspended Mayor Greg Hobbs.
This comes after Governor Brian Kemp signed an order Wednesday suspending Hobbs that was effective immediately.
"You are innocent until you are proven guilty and I really would have rather waited until more evidence was given, more information came forward," said Morris Arrington, a Thomasville native.
Mayor Hobbs was one of Morris Arrington's students at Thomasville high school. He says he was truly shocked to hear the allegations against Hobbs.
He was indicted in February on six charges after alleging that someone used his signature to forge documents.
"My views would be the same whether I taught him or not. I don't think that he could not have still performed his duties as Mayor," said Arrington.
Others disagree and say change needs to happen in city hall and this is a step in the right direction.
"I think the process has worked and I support the Governor's decision to suspend the Mayor," said Wallace Goodman long-time Thomasville resident.
Residents may disagree on what should happen next, but one thing almost all of them see eye to eye on is that in all their living here they've never seen city corruption.
The city says Mayor Pro Temp, Terry Scott, will step in to continue the duties of the mayor's office.
In the meantime, the city council will be looking for a temporary replacement to appoint to the Mayor's seat.
"The people who have served in the city have always been for the people," said Goodman.
Governor Kemp's order states "The indictment charges adversely affect the Mayor's office of the City of Thomasville, the review-commission unanimously recommended that Mayor Hobbs be suspended."
