By Eric Curl
June 22, 2025 – Chatham County and several current members of the Chatham Area Transit (CAT) board are suing to stop a new Georgia law that removes the board members from their positions and changes how the board is chosen.
The complaint filed on May 27 in Chatham County Superior Court argues the removal of the board members is unconstitutional and breaks state law by not letting Chatham and the city of Savannah keep a majority of seats on the board. The lawsuit also asks the court to block the law and rule that it cannot be enforced.
The CAT members bringing the lawsuit are Bobby Lockett, Anthony Noha, Marsha Buford, John Taylor, Tabitha Odell and Gertrude Robinson – all of whom are being represented by Atlanta Attorney Allen Lightcap. Outside counsel is being brought in to represent CAT, following the board’s approval of a resolution authorizing “non-conflicted” board members, Deidrick Cody, Detric Leggett and Mary Snowden, to retain representation from Atlanta-based Krevolin & Horst.
The complaint is scheduled to go before a superior court judge on Tuesday after the county and board members filed an emergency motion to schedule a hearing before July 1, when the legislation, House Bill 756, is set to take effect.
Georgia Attorney General Christopher Carr will also participate in the case after filing a motion, with the consent of the other parties, to help defend the state law.
The pending hearing is on the same day as the CAT board’s regular meeting, when the 2025-2026 fiscal year budget is scheduled for adoption.
The potential board shake-up also comes as CAT seeks to hire a permanent executive director. On March 25, the CAT board approved a contract with Colin Baezinger and Associates to assist in the national search for a qualified candidate to fill the open position currently filled by interim Executive Director Stephanie Cutter.
The firm’s founder and chief executive officer, Colin Baenzinger, told The Current in May that “it could be a bit awkward for candidates that are interviewed by one board and working for a board with significantly different composition.”
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