Restraining order granted against Diane Adoma

DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Clarence F. Seeliger this morning ruled in favor of the City of Stonecrest, which sought a restraining order against former City Councilwoman Diane Adoma barring her from City Hall offices, executive chambers and the dais at City Hall.

Adoma had refused to vacate her seat as a city councilmember since qualifying to run on Aug. 23 for mayor. Adoma refused to return city property immediately after qualifying as mandated by Georgia’s Constitution, Article II, Section II, Paragraph V, saying she believes the Constitution is unfair and she believes she should be able to keep her seat on the council.  The Constitution states, however, that any elected official seeking a different office from his or her own must step down immediately after qualifying if there is more than 30 days left on their unexpired term of office. Adoma had two years left on her term as a city council member.

City Attorney Winston Denmark and several city officials testified before Seeliger that Adoma had refused to vacate her City Council seat. The judge delayed the start of the hearing, scheduled at 9:30 a.m., until 10 a.m. so that she could testify. Adoma, however, did not show up.

“She (Adoma) will not have access to any areas at City Hall that are not open to the public,” the city’s Communications Director Adrion Bell said.

Bell said Adoma has returned all of the city property, except a key card to the City Hall building. The card, he said, would be deactivated.