The Rubber Stamp Budget: What’s Really at Stake in Fairburn

This Monday, the Council will gather to vote on an $85 million budget. And let me be clear: the outcome is already written for some. Certain councilmembers—who I call the rubber stamp voters—will approve it without question, without accountability, and without transparency. And one of them is running for Mayor of Fairburn.

The Rubber Stamp Effect

Why Residents Must Pay Attention

I’m asking every resident to watch or attend Monday’s meeting, September 08, 2025 @ 7:00 pm. Sit in the room or stream it online. Hear for yourself how decisions are being made with your tax dollars. Watch who asks questions, who demands accountability, and who quietly falls in line. Because silence is complicity.

Some in this community—aligned with corrupt leadership—want me to stop telling the truth. They want me to suffer in silence while business as usual continues. But I will not. I refuse.

The same energy this community showed when contesting a gas station and liquor store is the same energy we need now. If we could fight to stop something that directly impacted our neighborhoods, we should fight even harder for transparent leadership—because those decisions shape every dollar spent, every project delayed, every family affected.

The Record of Failed Leadership

Let’s be clear about Mayor Mario Avery:

• He misled voters with promises he never intended to keep.

• He weaponized procedures against fellow councilmembers to silence opposition.

• He hired outside legal counsel without approval from council.

• He destroyed public records, an act every member of this council knows about—yet they have remained silent.

Ask yourself: Why? Why do we have leaders who turn a blind eye to misconduct? Why haven’t they spoken up about the destruction of public records? Why are they comfortable letting the people of Fairburn shoulder the burden of this betrayal?

And now, Councilwoman Hattie Portis-Jones has put her name in the race for mayor. I challenge residents: ask her at every meet-and-greet why she refused to hold Mario accountable. Ask why she now leans on his support for her campaign when his record has left this city divided, vulnerable, and mistrusting of its own leadership.

Watch the Ballot Closely

Residents must pay close attention to the special election ballot. There will be two names on it—I guarantee one of them is a plant for Avery, designed to keep his grip on this city long after he’s left office. Don’t be fooled. Don’t be distracted. Real leadership doesn’t come from loyalty to failed mayors—it comes from loyalty to the people.

The Entire Truth

Fairburn deserves better. We deserve leadership that asks hard questions, that demands transparency, that fights for residents instead of covering for corruption. This budget, this election, and this moment are about more than numbers—they’re about whether we allow our city to continue under a cloud of silence and rubber-stamp politics.

So I say this to my neighbors: watch Monday’s meeting. Show up. Listen. Ask questions. Hold every single one of us accountable. Because the only way corruption wins is if the people stop paying attention.

And I, for one, will not suffer in silence. Neither should you.

Leading by serving,

Dr. Samantha L. Hudson- McCalla, MSW, DPA