By Eric Curl / Opinion
April 5, 2025 – Maybe it’s just me, but I believe the public should be made aware when Chatham County gives away large portions of real estate. Unfortunately, the commission seems to be intent on keeping such deals secret.
On March 14, after the public had left and the cameras stopped rolling, the Chatham County Commission once again cast votes after an executive session, a closed-door portion of the meeting meant for sensitive topics like litigation, real estate or personnel matters. But this wasn’t a minor administrative move. The commission authorized the execution of documents tied to Parcel 7, the very site where a new convention center hotel and ferry dock are planned. You will not see the vote on the video recording of the meeting. That video stops when the commission goes into executive session and does not resume when they come out.
This was not the first time such a vote occurred out of the public eye. Last November, the commission similarly approved the sale of Parcel 7—again after a closed-door session, with no record in the public video with the vote. It’s a pattern, and it’s troubling.
RELATED: Nov. 1 meeting minutes
RELATED: March 14 meeting minutes
On March 14, the county transferred about 8 acres of the proposed convention hotel site to the convention center authority, according to tax reporting documents related to the transfer. The warranty deed indicates the county was given $10. The Convention Center’s Mark Smith said when reached via email that the state paid for the land back in 2002, but that doesn’t explain the county’s lack of transparency now.
Public-record requests I made after the fact are raising even more questions. When I requested documents related to the March 14 vote (at the insistence of the county), only a “title affidavit” was provided—confirming there are no known disputes concerning the parcel—but the key documents authorizing the transfer or outlining terms remain mysteriously unavailable. The county has stated there are “no responsive documents.” None, despite the board’s vote to “execute documents.”
How is it that the commission can vote to transfer public land without producing a single document showing the terms? Are taxpayers being compensated? Is there a payment plan, as previously suggested to Savannah Agenda by Commissioner Patrick Farrell?
Chairman Chester Ellis and Commissioner Bobby Lockett voted against the Parcel 7 sale, yet neither responded to requests for comment inquiring as to why. Their silence only adds to the confusion and suspicion. If there are legitimate reasons for dissent—or for the votes being cast in this manner—those reasons must be shared publicly.
Until then, we are left with more questions than answers—and a troubling sense that too much of Chatham County’s business is being done out of view.
This practice should end.
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