KINGSLAND - Mayor-elect Samantha Johnson got an early start on her new position when the Kingsland City Council appointed her to fill the unexpired term of Mayor Karen Wiscaver, who decided to resign the office.
Wiscaver was one of three people affiliated with Kingsland city government who turned in letters of resignation for last Thursday’s regular monthly meeting of the Kingsland City Council.
In addition to Wiscaver, financial administrator/secretary Wendy James and water operator Kaleb Parker also resigned from their respective positions.
Wiscaver had served as Kingsland mayor since January 2025. She was previously a member the city council before the council selected her to serve out the term of former Mayor Sharon Crosby, who stepped down from the office on Dec. 31,2024. The term Wiscaver was filling will expire on Dec. 31,2026.
Johnson will now complete that unexpired term for the remainder of the year. While state law prevents appointees in county government from serving in the same office once their appointment is completed, there are no such law preventing appointees from serving in the same office in city government.
Johnson will officially begin her four-year elected term on Jan. 1,2027.
Johnson and Wiscaver faced off in the Republican primary for Kingsland mayor with Johnson coming out on top by a 59-22 margin. Since there were no other opponents in the race, she will be unopposed in the November general election.
Wiscaver, James nor Parker were at last Thursday’s meeting. Wiscaver and James were also absent for the May city council meeting.
Wiscaver said in a telephone interview that she was “just ready to go” when asked about her decision to retire.
“It was time for somebody else to step in and take over,” she added.
With Wiscaver absent, City Recorder/Treasurer Nadriona Russell presided over the start of the meeting. All four city council members as well as City Attorney Thomas Bums were in attendance.
Shortly after the meeting started, the city council went in…