MONTICELLO, Ga. (WGXA) — After months of pushback from residents, the Monticello City Council voted in favor of the annexation of three plots of land surrounding Mine Lake. Residents of Monticello packed the Jasper County Courthouse, awaiting the decision on the annexation of the land owned by Adam McGinnis of Southern Edge Realty, and voiced their displeasure with the decision. "There were people on this council that I was friends with, I mean…I'm hurt," said Jasper County resident Gerri Yoder. "We begged, and we pleaded, and we didn't want this." Residents were coordinated in red T-shirts and hats that read, "no data centers in Jasper County." They also came with signs to hold up that said "LIAR" when a city official said something they were not fond of. The crowd expressed their dissatisfaction one by one during the public comment portion of the meeting. Most agreed they felt lied to by the government they elected and accused the council of having inappropriate relationships with the owner of the land, which led to the 4-1 decision. "I will say that when you see a group of people, so many people, so upset, and repeat the allegations again, that is very concerning," said Georgia State Representative of District 144 Dale Washburn. "You've lost the public trust. No one is going to believe anything you have to say from this point on," said Jasper County resident James Jurczak. By the end of the meeting, some Monticello residents even demanded the resignation of everyone on…
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