Byron Hickey and Columbus councilors reply to criticism from children of Pops Barnes
After two children of the late Columbus Councilor Jerry “Pops” Barnes vehemently criticized the council’s majority for appointing a successor they contend their father wouldn’t approve, the appointee disputed their allegation.
Simi and Clairmont Barnes told the Columbus Council during Tuesday’s meeting their father’s phone records indicate the council’s appointee, Byron Hickey, hadn’t communicated with Pops since April 18, 2023. They offered those records as evidence Pops wasn’t mentoring Hickey to be his successor, refuting part of the rationale councilors used in their explanation for appointing Hickey.
Hickey, however, claims he had “numerous interactions” with Pops in person as recently as March, and he insists Pops indeed wanted him to be his successor.
“I extend my deepest condolences to the family of Pops Barnes during this time of mourning,” Hickey wrote Tuesday in an email to the L-E after the council meeting. “Pops Barnes often expressed his desire for me to be his successor, and he communicated this to several council members and constituents as well.
“If Pops Barnes had changed his mind, he did not convey this to The Council. It raises the question of why the Council would misrepresent his wishes.
“Pops Barnes and I had numerous interactions, both at events and in public.,” Hickey continued. “Our last conversation took place on the evening of Friday, March 29, 2024, when he was in room 207 at Piedmont North Hospital in Columbus, GA. I was accompanied by Sgt. Williams (CPD) at the hospital, but only one of us was permitted to visit him.
“During my visit, I observed that he was struggling to speak, so I advised him to rest and assured him that I just wanted to see him. He expressed his gratitude and asked me to request prayers on his behalf. I promised him I would, and I prayed with him before I left.”
How we got here
In a 6-3 vote May 28, the council appointed Hickey, a retired Columbus police officer, to succeed Pops as the District 1 representative and fill the remaining two years of the four-year term. Barnes, who died April 14 at age 80 from an undisclosed illness, was the District 1 representative on the 10-member council for 17 years.
Hickey was scheduled to be sworn in June 4, but a conflict in city law about the pension plan indefinitely has postponed his appointment. The council is expected to consider amending the pension plan ordinance so Hickey wouldn’t have to suspend withdrawals from his pension while serving on the council.
In 2010, a federal jury awarded Hickey $306,000 in a lawsuit claiming the city officials discriminated against him because he spoke out against racial and gender bias.
In a letter dated three days after Barnes died, three state legislators representing Columbus urged the mayor and city councilors to appoint former state Rep. Calvin Smyre to the council. The letter was from state Sen. Ed Harbison, state Rep. Carolyn Hugley and state Rep. Teddy Reese.
Then on May 13, WTVM reported that Smyre and those three legislators instead supported one of Barnes’ daughters, licensed professional counselor Simeone “Simi” Barnes, to be the successor.
During the May 28 council meeting, the councilors who voted yes on Hickey’s appointment are Glenn Davis of District 2, Toyia Tucker of District 4, Charmaine Crabb of District 5 (who made the motion), Joanne Cogle of District 7, Walker Garrett of District 8 and Judy Thomas of citywide District 9.
Bruce Huff of District 3, Mayor Pro Tem Gary Allen of District 6 and Tyson Begly of citywide District 10 are the councilors who voted against Hickey’s appointment. Allen nominated Simi, but the council didn’t vote on that motion because a majority already approved Hickey.
Columbus councilors respond to criticism
The Ledger-Enquirer also asked the councilors for their reaction to the criticism from Simi and Clairmont, as well as from the Rev. Adrian Chester, who told the council the citizens of District 1 “have been silenced as our city council tries to figure out how to make this concocted plan work when there are persons who are ready, able and available to represent 25,750 people on this very day,”
Garrett and Begly are the only councilors who have replied.
“I chose Mr. Hickey based on his experiences with the Public Safety Advisory Committee, years in CPD, leadership in the Police Benevolent Association, and the many constituents of District 1 who reached out directly to me supporting his nomination,” Garrett wrote to the L-E in an email Tuesday after the council meeting. “I was strongly considering Rep. Calvin Smyre based on his years of governmental experience and knowing he had been elected by the same constituents, but when he withdrew his name from consideration, Mr. Hickey had the most relevant experience for the position.”
“I did not support anyone based on a position being left to them or being mentored for the spot because I had no personal knowledge that Councilor Barnes had someone in mind to one day assume his position,” Garrett added.
Begly said he didn’t discuss Hickey with Pops.
“I have the utmost respect for Councilor Barnes and his family,” Begly wrote to the L-E in an email Tuesday after the council meeting. “I took the opportunity to pay my respects at his beautiful funeral service and was happy to take Simi’s call when she reached out.”
“Reverend Chester raised an important point about filling vacant political seats, which people are sometimes uncomfortable discussing,” Begly added. “Some find it disrespectful to talk about filling vacancies shortly after someone passes, and I understand their point from an emotional perspective. However, the reality is that any delay results in a group of people who aren’t represented. In this case, District 1 didn’t have anyone at the table to comment on the recent budget that was passed.”
The council appointed Begly in April 2023 to succeed John House, who resigned to spend more time with his ailing wife.
Huff is the only councilor who voted against Begly’s appointment. Huff said he had promised to nominate Ku’Wonna Ingram, who ran for Georgia House District 137 in 2012 but lost to incumbent Debbie Buckner.
Begly will serve until the winner of the June 18 runoff election between John Anker and Travis Chambers is sworn in. Begly didn’t run for election, complying with the unwritten rule but expectation from the council that appointees doesn’t seek to retain their seat so they don’t have an unfair advantage as an incumbent without being elected.
Muscogee County elections director Nancy Boren told the Ledger-Enquirer in April that it was too late — at least 90 days are needed — for a District 1 special election to be on the May 21 ballot, when the even-numbered seats on the council were up for election. So as the person the council appointed to represent District 1 now, Hickey will serve until the May 2026 election if his swearing-in is completed.
This story was originally published June 12, 2024 at 10:57 AM.
