Local media has been reporting about the closed session the Albany City Commission held yesterday to handle what was termed as an “internal personnel matter”, though everyone suspects it has to do with City Attorney Nathan Davis and the handgun that was found in his desk drawer, along with the knife that was also found. They seem to be taking their time in figuring out what disciplinary action, if any, to take. Unfortunately, there’s one little thing I don’t see happening.
Davis isn’t being charged with the crime he committed.
You see, under Georgia law, it’s illegal for any citizen who isn’t a post certified law enforcement officer to carry a firearm into a governmental building. The courthouse is off limits. The Government Center is off limits. And the Law Enforcement Center where Davis has his office? Oh yeah, that’s off limits too.
There’s been some speculation that the gun was “discovered” by a staff member who wanted to get even with Davis for a poor evaluation and his attempts to terminate her. Frankly, it’s irrelevant when it comes to discussion of Davis and his fate. You see, the law is the law. You or I are expected to follow the law. To the letter. If not, we get fined or imprisoned. So why should Davis get a walk?
We have people in this town who are fined for having a car in their driveway that the City deems “junk”. Yes folks, this really happens to people in Albany. We also have people who get fined because their grass is to tall. We have people who get threatened with fines because they cut down a tree on their own property. And yet, a city official breaks state law (a misdemeanor) and nothing?
Don’t get me wrong folks, I think the law is stupid. I see no reason why a lawful citizen should be prevented from carrying a firearm anywhere they want to go. I also classify Nathan Davis, despite this action, a lawful citizen all things considered. But that’s not the law. Even the new law that goes into effect on July 1, he would still be breaking the law.
People lose faith in government when government doesn’t keep faith with them. A friend of mine refers to things like this as “rules for thee, not for me” and this is a great example of that mentality. Those who work at higher levels of even local government are viewed by many as believing they are part of an aristocracy in this nation, one where the rules don’t apply. But they won’t put that in law, and for good reason.
If the City Commission wants to counter this, they simply need to insist that Davis is charged. It’s a misdemeanor. There’s no jail time, he just pays a fine and goes back to work. But failure to do this sends a message that we, the regular folks of Albany, don’t matter so much. We must follow the rules that city officials just flaunt.
Tell me where that’s right? Ever?
There are 2 sets of Laws in Albany,one for the People,and one for the Officals.I agree that it is his right to have a gun,but he does not even have a permit,and how easy do you think it would be for him to get one?Then there is the thing about it being in a Govermental Building.Now that one really gets me.I could not get away with that.Heck i was trying to protect myself from a guy twice my size,and with a stick.And they wanted to charge me.The police said if i wanted to press charges,we would both have to be taken downtown,i said ok,the guy on the other hand did not want to go downtown,he had just gotten out of jail.I knew i could get out,but he would have been in violation of his probation.So guess what,the police did not take us down town.
It just goes to show you,it s who you know.I was willing to take my punishment,had there been any with an investagation,but there was none.But you let someone who pissed off Nathan turn him in for having the gun,then he wants all rules to be in his favor.I dont know the whole story,probley never will.But i do know Nathan needs to answer to his crime,just like everyone else.And he is not the only City Offical who needs to answer to the puplic.We pay them,they work for us.They spen our money,and i should also add this,foolishly.Oh yeah,another closed meeting.Do you smell cover up.It s not the pollen.
I don’t like the law either and SB 308 tried to address that. But as long as the ruling class fears it’s law abiding Citizens, these draconian firearms laws will exist. My problem is when the ruling class chooses to exempt themselves from those same laws. According to the information given by The Herald, Mr. Davis committed 2 misdemeanors per OCGA 16-11-126, 16-11-127, & 16-11-128. According to my understanding, 2 weapons misdemeanors committed concurrently equal a Felony. I don’t know what the deal is with Ms. Strang but that is unrelated to Mr. Davis’s weapons issue.
This has been a cover-up from the get go. D.A. Greg Edwards should have been johnny on the spot and made the arrest immediately after the story came forward last month. The Herald should have followed up on the story and pushed for the truth to be told. But they (and WALB) just recycled the information that the Commission fed them, no investigative reporting at all. It was reported previously that Mr. Davis does not have a GA Firearms License. Karen Cohilas reported on WALB.com 5/12/10 [quote "Nathan Davis has been city attorney since 2003. He's been carrying a gun on his person since he was the victim of an attempted robbery several years ago."] If Mr. Davis made this statement , he just admitted to another misdemeanor per OCGA 16-11-126C. Want to guess who Mrs. Cohilas’s husband is? Assistant D.A. Chris Cohilas!! Are Mr. & Mrs. Cohilas in on the cover up? Will D.A. Edwards refuse to enforce State law, hoping this will blow over? It looks that way!
This is what happens when the law is applied equally: http://www.wsbtv.com/news/23104862/detail.html. One member of the City Commission, that I spoke to, knows that Mr. Davis committed a “Public Gathering” misdemeanor. He told me that the Commission cannot terminate Mr. Davis until he has been charged and convicted of these crimes. Their hands seem to be tied.
Somebody had to shine a light on this, the Herald and WALB obviously won’t, SWGAPolitics.com did!! Way to go, Guys!!
Chris Cohilas is no longer with the DA’s office. He’s gone into private practice.
Russ22,
I got my info on Mr. Cohilas from the official Albany, GA website http://www.albany.ga.us/content/1800/2889/2999/3438/default.aspx
If Mr. Cohilas is indeed in private practice, then I stand corrected.
FrontSight:
Chris is most definetly in private practice now, and indeed Karen was moved off the DA Office beat for at least a few months. I was told it was directly linked to allegations such as the ones you made.
It s the good ole boy system alive and well in Albany Ga.I know of a few trials he fought in,that should be looked over just becuase of stuff like this.It s a do as i say,not as i do with The City of albany Officals.He will make a Buie deal,and get out of it.When have you known the City of albany to go up against one of there own.?And to get a judge here to hear the case,i cant wait to see if it goes that far.I had a judge in albany tell me he could not hear a case i had with City,and others,becuase he worked for the same people.He was wrong,he works for us,the tax payers.So this is going to be intresting for me.I know of a case that will probley come back and bite him on the butt becuase of this.And i will be there to see it,if it happens.Stay tuned……
Davis will get away with all this.As those before him have.Why? Because no one will investagate City Offical,County Officals,or anyone else Who’s Job is to protect US.The People.They dont care about us.Just there jobs,and the money we pay them to do there jobs.When and Who will stand up for US.The People Of Albany?I know i have been there,No One Will.You have to do it yourself.And that takes more money than alot of us have.But they have it to fight for there rights,We give it to them.Have you ever tried to get a lawyer to go up against Albany?I have,they will not do it.And dont let them tell you it’s becuase you dont have a good case.I had a very good one.But you have to have someone to investagate the matter at hand.And they will not go up against one another.So where does that leave the people of Albany who have been done wrong by Gov.in Albany?Come on,i know there are lawyers,police,and Gov. Officals in Albany that read this.Answer to the people you took a oath to protect and serve.
Truth,
If that’s true, then I highly recommend you look outside of Albany for an attorney. Someone, somewhere, will be happy to take on a local government. Of that, I am quite sure.
Does anyone know if Davis is licensed by the GA Bar Assoc?
I just answered my own question. This is from the GA Bar Assoc. website:
Company: City Attorney City of Albany
Address:201 W. Oglethorpe Blvd., Ste. 355-A
PO Box 447
Albany, GA 31701
Work Phone: (229) 431-2805
Fax: (229) 431-3206
Email: ndavis2@dougherty.ga.us
Admit Date: 1/1/1973
Law School: Mercer University-W. George L.S.
Status: Active Member in Good Standing
Public Disciplinary History: None on Record
Member of the following sections:
If you all did not get to see the walb reporter talking to our good Mayor yesterday you need to check it out.When the reporter asked him about the metting they were in,if it involved Nathin Davis,he said he would not answer,she asked him why no,hi words,”Cause I Dont Want To.Yep corruption is live and well here still.Get them all out of office now.Or we will lose what we have left of Albany.
I would like to say i am sorry for saying the Mayor was talking about the deal with Nathan Davis.It was about getting all that money back from Cutlift Grove.He said he had more pressing things at this time.Thats alot of money to be not worried about.But he did say to the reporter when she asked when he was going to get to that,he said maybe next week,next month within the next six months,that is when he said he would not give her an answer because”I dont want to was his words” Well mr Mayor i dont want you in office anymore.What you want to do,and what is your job is 2 diffrent things.If you did nt want to do this job,why in the heck did you run for it?And atleast i got the cuhhonas to admit my mistakes(for you men out there i know i did nt spell that right,but you know what i mean)And i did say i was sorry,alot more than he has ever done for me..And by the way while you are in all those closed door meetings,find out when my case will be comming back to trial.You know the one,from 2007,when you all would not investagate My Mothers death,or that things got missing from her home.Yep it s me again,and i will not go away till i get my rights back,why?Cause I Dont Want to.