COHUTTA, GEORGIA — Ron Shinnick resigned as mayor of Cohutta, Georgia, with immediate effect in a letter dated May 15. He said he was stepping down because of health concerns affecting family members outside the town.

"This decision was not made lightly," Shinnick wrote. "But I believe it is in the best interest of both the town and myself at this time."

Shinnick had held the mayoral post since 2014. In his letter, he described serving as mayor as one of his life's great honors and pointed to new businesses, improved public services, and increased inclusivity in the town during his tenure.

The resignation followed actions Shinnick took against the local police force earlier in the month. By May 6, he had dismissed police chief Greg Fowler and 10 other officers. He said he acted against the police department over comments officers made on social media. A sign posted in the town of roughly 930 people announced the dissolution of its police department and advised anyone in need of help to call a non-emergency county government telephone number.

The town council held an emergency meeting on May 8 and voted to reinstate the police department. Town attorney Bryan Rayburn said Shinnick's actions with respect to the local police force did not follow the policies and procedures of Cohutta's governing charter. The council considered demanding Shinnick's immediate resignation but did not do so.

A notice on the town's government website said the council would detail plans and a selection process for an interim mayor at a Wednesday meeting. Cohutta sits just south of the Tennessee state line, about 100 miles north-west of Atlanta.