Councilman addresses arrest

By
MARY ANN ANDERSON
A Hazlehurst City Council member charged with driving under the influence and failure to yield spoke publicly about the Aug. 23 incident during Thursday’s regular council meeting.
Ward 3 Council member Chris Jones did not offer a formal apology or directly address the DUI charge in his remarks or the public statement. He asked residents and council members to read the front-page article about his arrest in the Sept. 17 edition of the Jeff Davis Ledger.
“I ask you to read it, process it, and just look at it,” Jones said. “I want everybody to think about it. Everybody has their own opinion on what it may be.”
Jones was taken by Hazlehurst police to the Jeff Davis Detention Center for booking. Police Chief James Mock said the crash, originally investigated by Georgia State Patrol, at Tallahassee and Jefferson streets caused only minor injuries and no one was taken to a hospital.
With Ward 4 Council member Landon Chavis and City Attorney Ken W. Smith absent, the council worked through a 90-minute agenda.
After a presentation by Trey Gavin of ESG Engineering, which manages the city’s water and wastewater facilities, the council voted to hire the firm to conduct a comprehensive revenue-sufficiency study. The study, estimated at $20,000 to $25,000, will analyze current rates and outline steps to ensure the city can cover annual operating, maintenance and repair costs.
“Our city has a major challenge in the revenue,” Mayor John Ramay said, noting the city recently took out a $250,000 loan to cover expenses. “We have less revenue than we do expenses.” Retaining ESG Engineering, he said, is “the best way” to chart a path toward sustainable funding.
The council also heard from Chloe Chaney of the Hazlehurst–Jeff Davis County Chamber of Commerce, who requested approval for this year’s citywide house-to-house and business-to-business Trick-or-Treat on Oct. 28, 6–9 p.m. The date avoids a conflict with Jeff Davis High School’s football game on Oct. 31. The annual downtown Halloween Boo Bash has been canceled.
Following a marathon presentation by Tommy Hayes of MSI Benefits Group on employee health, dental and vision insurance for the coming year, the council scheduled a called meeting for Sept. 29 at 5:30 p.m. to select insurance options before October open enrollment.
Michael Brantley and Steve Faught of the Streets Department reported on roundabouts, recycling and the Hazlehurst Splash Pad. Faught said the splash pad will remain open through Sept. 28 before closing for fall and winter.
Faught also discussed the animal shelter, citing communication issues with the E-911 center and asking for improvements “from all directions.” He added that the shelter is “the best it’s looked in a long time.”
During council comments, Ward 1 Council member Dywane Johnson announced a “Stop the Gun Violence” event organized by Debran McRae, whose son, Malik, was killed in a 2022 shooting. The event is set for Oct. 18, noon–5 p.m., at Mary Frazier McLean Park and is open to the public.
Jones noted the Hazlehurst Community League will host a feed-the-community event on Sept. 27 at the same park to mark the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene. Attendees will be invited to discuss how the storm affected them and the community.
City Clerk Vernice Thompson said Educational Drive remains in “very bad shape” from storm damage and asked council members to visit the site to consider repairs. She also asked members to review a 10-page ordinance on road signage before the October meeting.
Thompson added that Anna Weaver of the Heart of Georgia Altamaha Regional Commission requested a Oct. 1 meeting at the Jeff Davis County Courthouse — including officials from Hazlehurst, Denton and Jeff Davis County — to discuss next year’s joint comprehensive plan and broader community goals and needs.
As a housekeeping matter, the council approved August water and sewer adjustments, departmental reports and check register.
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PUBLIC STATEMENT REGARDING INCIDENT ON AUGUST 23, 2025
On or about 10:15 p.m. on August 23, 2025, an unfortunate incident occurred in which I was involved in a vehicle accident. I would like to begin by personally thanking the law enforcement officers and first responders who arrived quickly at the scene. Your swift action helped secure the area and ensure the safety of others by preventing further accidents.
To the individual or family involved in the accident, I sincerely hope that you are safe and recovering well.
I also feel compelled to raise an important point for public consideration. If a driver who has been diagnosed with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is involved in an accident, particularly one which an airbag deploys upon impact, how might this affect their immediate physical condition? How would that person be expected to talk, look, or walk in the immediate aftermath? These are complex medical and situational factors that deserve thoughtful reflection.
I take this matter very seriously and am fully cooperating with the legal process. While I maintain my innocence, I am committed to presenting the truth in court and allowing the legal system to reach a fair and just outcome.
Thank you for your concern, your time, and your understanding.
Sincerely,
Christopher Michael Jones