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OFFICE OF FULTON COUNTY COMMISSIONER BRIDGET THORNE DISTRICT 1

Here’s what REALLY happened at the December 3 Board of Commissioners meeting. Wins, misinformation, and theatrics — all in one whirlwind session. 

QUICK TAKEAWAYS



• Wins for the County- Big accomplishments passed

• Misinformation Spread - Commissioners continue spreading BLATANT misinformation

• A Mockery of Governance- Shouting, interruptions, and identity-based pressure dominated parts of the meeting, blocking productive conversation

• The Solution: True leadership is about unity, accountability, and putting the county first — not theatrics or division. 

Read on for a full breakdown of each item, the facts, and what actually happened

I ran on the principle of working across party lines and building bridges for the betterment of the county. I am proud and grateful when fellow Democratic or Republican commissioners agree to prioritize the county. 

It’s worrisome that unity is being villainized — with some commissioners mischaracterizing collaboration as betrayal. Division weakens the Board, while unity strengthens it. 

As a governing body, we must: 

• Engage in conversations without accusations or name-calling. 
• Exercise patience and provide clarity. 
• Focus on solutions, not theatrics. 

By putting the county first, we serve residents effectively, protect taxpayer dollars, and foster a Board capable of real progress. 

1. Ethics Complaint Resolution [25-0842] (Thorne)



This resolution establishes a clear, step-by-step process for commissioners to file ethics complaints against one another — encouraging conversation and mediation before formal complaints. 

The Board passed a common-sense process for filing ethics complaints between commissioners: 

1. Talk First: Attempt to resolve the issue directly. 
2. Bring in a Third Commissioner: Mediate if needed. 
3. File if Needed: Only after these steps can a formal complaint be filed, no board vote required. 

This prevents frivolous complaints from wasting taxpayer dollars. Remember September’s frivolous complaint? Over $3,500 in legal fees were spent unnecessarily, not to mention the stipend all 7 members of the Ethics Board receive. 

This resolution saves money, encourages collaboration, and strengthens accountability. 

WATCH FULL DISCUSSION CLIP HERE

2. Policing Alternatives & Diversion (PAD) Initiative [25-0841] 

This agenda item authorizes programs offering alternatives to traditional policing, aiming to divert individuals from the justice system while improving public safety outcomes. 

The Board approved programs providing alternatives to traditional policing, supporting residents with evidence-based interventions. 



• Community support: Residents and PAD staff spoke passionately about the program’s success. 
• Programs help prevent crime while offering compassionate alternatives. 

A win for public safety and Fulton County residents. Smart, humane, and effective. 



WATCH FULL DISCUSSION CLIP HERE

Even simple, non-partisan resolutions like these are being heavily politicized, misconstrued, and overcomplicated. Some continue twisting facts any way they can to make it seem like something it’s not, turning common-sense rules into a source of fear and confusion. 

1 .Ethics Complaint Resolution [25-0842]

False claim: Commissioners can’t file independently; the Board controls complaints. 

Fact: Commissioners retain full independence. The process encourages resolving disputes first before filing, reducing unnecessary conflict and legal costs. Commissioners can still file an ethics complaint at any time. Nothing is being restricted. 

2. County Staff Use / Town Halls [25-0895]

This resolution limits the use of certain county staff (External Affairs and DREAM) for commissioner events to protect staff workloads and taxpayer dollars while ensuring constituent access. 

• Commissioners must prioritize their own staff. 
• County staff limited to 4 town halls/year, with department head oversight. 
• Commissioners may hold unlimited town halls with their own staff. 

Respecting county employees and taxpayers — this is not a restriction on access or free speech. 

False claim: Limiting County staff restricts town halls and constituent access. 

Fact: Commissioners may still hold unlimited town halls using their own staff. Limitations apply only to certain county employees (External Affairs & DREAM) to protect staff workloads and taxpayer resources. 

This is about efficiency and fairness, not silencing elected officials. 

One commissioner went as far as to warn that any commissioner who voted for this resolution was telling Fulton County residents that “your voices do not matter.” 



In other words, agreeing on this item was framed not as a policy disagreement — but as a personal attack on the integrity and respect commissioners have for the people they serve. 

See clip below:

Let me be clear: 

Your voices DO matter. 

They matter deeply to me. 

Republican. Democrat. Independent. 

It does not matter. 

I am here to listen to you, advocate for you, and serve you and our community. Not play political games, not spread fear, and not distort the truth for headlines. 

Now more than ever, I encourage you to use your voice. 

Speak up. Stay engaged. Ask questions. Expect better. 



Together, we can drown out the lies, the projection, and the theatrics — and replace them with real progress that benefits you and your families. 

[WATCH FULL CLIP DISCUSSION HERE]

3. Abortion-Related Resolution [25-0935]

This resolution urged the Georgia Legislature to repeal the 6-week abortion ban, framed as protecting reproductive rights. 



A Commissioner falsely claimed: 

• That Amber Thurman and Candi Miller died due to miscarriage and that access to abortion would have saved them. 

Reality: Both took the abortion pill, which led to fatal complications, including sepsis. Their deaths were not prevented by the 6-week abortion ban. 

• Adriana Smith: Commissioners claimed she was kept on life support due to abortion law restrictions. Fact: She was kept on life support because she was brain dead; taking her off life support was not an act of abortion. Attorney General Chris Carr clarified: 

“Taking her off life support is not an act of aborting the baby. There is nothing criminal about it.” 

I attempted to correct these statements multiple times but was interrupted repeatedly by commissioners shouting over me. 

See clip below:

Abortion aside, it is highly concerning when an elected official — elected to serve the people and ensure transparency — is silenced simply for speaking the truth, especially when the wording being circulated is so incredibly misleading. Residents deserve accurate information and attempt to prevent that undermine both trust and accountability. 



[WATCH FULL DISCUSSION CLIP]

4. Cross-Party Voting Allegations 

False claim: Democratic commissioners are secretly Republican because they sometimes vote the same as Republican commissioners. 

Fact: Voting together on specific items does not change party affiliation. Collaboration can benefit the county, and even the other Republican commissioner, Bob Ellis, and I sometimes vote differently. 

Of the seven commissioners, three consistently vote as an uncompromising ideological bloc. The remaining four of us, including two Democrats, collaborate across party lines when it benefits the county and the residents we serve.

The Socialist bloc of three routinely claims that the two Democrats who work collaboratively with us are “secret Republicans,” simply because they do not vote in sync with them.

But here’s the truth:

Those two commissioners are Democrats. The Socialist bloc of three has simply moved so far into a rigid, socialist-Democrat faction that they no longer recognize moderation within their own party.

They expect absolute political obedience — and when they don’t get it, they accuse others of betrayal.

5.Women’s Commission Resolution [25-0936] 



This resolution establishes a Fulton County Women’s Commission to advise the Board on policies and partnerships supporting gender equity. 

One commissioner suggested that the female commissioners on the board had to vote for the Women’s Commission resolution just because it involved women, as if our vote somehow defines our womanhood. Commissioner Khadijah Abdur Rahman responded: 

“My femininity and being a woman is not tied to whether I vote for this item or not.” 

[WATCH THE FULL DISCUSSION CLIP HERE]

1. Pressuring County Staff on the Spot 

During the County Staff discussion [25-0895], a commissioner called the head of External Affairs over on the spot and asked if she and her staff were overworked, attempting to discredit the policy restricting county staff use. 

"Is supporting Commissioner events too much for your team to handle?"

See clip below:

This is completely unfair to the employee. She reports to the County Manager, not a commissioner, and was put in an uncomfortable position in front of everyone, live on FGTV, with no way to respond freely. 

County staff should not be used as props in political arguments, and employees must be respected, protected, and allowed to do their jobs without being publicly pressured. 

[WATCH FULL CLIP DISCUSSION HERE]

2. Unhelpful Engagement / Refusal to Clarify 

On an elections-related item [25-0939], I asked a simple clarifying question about the purpose of the legislation. Instead of answering, the presenting commissioner repeatedly read from the resolution itself, which was unclear to begin with, giving the same circular response three times: 

“It has to do with county services, development decisions, public health and safety policies, elections, spending decisions, and more, as written in the resolution.” 

“It has to do with county services, development decisions, public health and safety policies, elections, spending decisions, and more, as written in the resolution.” 

“It has to do with county services, development decisions, public health and safety policies, elections, spending decisions, and more, as written in the resolution.” 

See clip below:

Leadership is humility, patience, and clear communication. Not circling vague language to dodge accountability. 



Rather than actually answering the question, the commissioner’s repeated response felt like smoke and mirrors — a deliberate attempt to distract from the real answer and avoid transparency. My genuine attempts to understand the reasoning were ignored, wasting time and demonstrating a refusal to engage in productive conversation. 

[WATCH FULL DISCUSSION CLIP HERE]

3. Interruptions & Silencing 

I was repeatedly cut off while correcting misinformation, particularly during the abortion-related resolution.  

See clip below:

Attempts to provide facts and clarify misleading statements were continually interrupted, preventing productive discussion. 

4. Identity-Based Pressure 

During the Women’s Commission vote, one commissioner implied that a female commissioner should automatically support the resolution simply because it involved women. I firmly rejected this pressure, emphasizing that my vote is based on policy and principles, not gender identity. 

" It would seem odd that any woman on this commission would vote against this because this is one area where we should all be able to agree"

See clip below:

[WATCH THE FULL DISCUSSION CLIP HERE]

5.Inapropriate Conduct & Name Calling 

One commissioner engaged in unprofessional language and personal attacks, recapping the session with open frustration and disrespect toward colleagues, using words entirely unsuitable for an official Board of Commissioners meeting. 

This behavior is not an isolated incident — it is becoming a pattern of hostility and theatrics. 

Increasingly, basic decorum and civility have slipped away. Several commissioners now routinely resort to insults — calling colleagues ignorant, idiots, stupid, and disingenuous. County staff have also been caught in the crossfire, which is entirely unacceptable.

This pattern of hostility doesn’t just create a toxic environment; it undermines public trust and distracts from the real work residents expect us to do. Governance cannot function when personal attacks replace policy discussion.



Fulton County deserves professionalism, not theatrics.

See clip below:

3:39:40 to 3:41:32

Conversations must remain respectful, factual, and solutions-oriented, with no name-calling, interruptions, or misrepresentation. This is how we ensure good governance and protect taxpayer interests. 

25-0842 Ethics Complaint Resolution (Thorne)

PASSED

25-0895 Use of County Staff Resolution (Ellis/Thorne)

HELD

25-0935 Repeal 6-week Abortion Ban Law Resolution (Barrett)

FAILED

25-0936 Establish a Fulton County Women's Commission (Barrett)

FAILED

25-0937 "Healthy Women, Healthy Families" $1M grant program (Barrett)

FAILED

25-0938 $3M funding for non-profits within the Justice System

DENIED

25-0939 Resolution defending the Board of Commissioners’ authority over local matters.

FAILED

Serving this community is an honor and a responsibility that I don’t take lightly. Every decision, every vote, and every conversation should be guided by truth, transparency, and collaboration — even when it requires courage to speak facts or work across party lines. 

I am proud to work alongside colleagues who prioritize the County over politics, and I remain committed to building bridges, listening to residents, and ensuring that decisions benefit all Fulton County residents. 

Your voice is essential. I always want to hear from you — whether it’s ideas, concerns, or ways I can better serve and advocate for our community. Together, we can hold the Board accountable, demand professionalism, and make Fulton County stronger, more transparent, and more responsive to the people it serves. 

Our office is here to support you—feel free to contact us with questions and concerns anytime.