"Tonight, I'm asking you, Mr. Stunkle; and you, Don Jernigan to step down from the position immediately, and save the people of this community the time and money."

Monday, resident Jason Bunn called for the resignation of two Jasper County commissioners after claims some commissioners possibly worked outside public meetings to push unwanted ordnance through.

That ordinance, according to a watchdog group, would have allowed for homes to be built much smaller than what they are currently zoned for.

The concern: according to residents, this would open the door to developers; turning Jasper County into a cramped subdivided landscape. Johnathan Fuss is one of the people who could be impacted, he made his voice heard Monday night in front of the board, and a packed courtroom of residents.

He said the commission made decisions that didn't align with the people they were elected to represent.

"An example of how the government is not supposed to work is why a lot of people are here tonight," said Fuss. "Things that were done were not done as a group; y'all are a board, you're supposed to work together."

Here's how this all started:

Resident and watchdog Mary Patrick, says in 2021 commissioners proposed zoning for future builds of 1,800 square foot homes on two-acre plots, but those plans were tabled. Patrick said that later, Commissioner Stunkel proposed even smaller lots and smaller houses, which would shrink the requirement from 1800 square feet to 1300 square feet homes; and instead of the two acres, the acreage could be small as .72 acres. On top of that, Patrick says Stunkle and Jernigan plans weren't communicated through the proper channels.

"It was obvious they were keeping it from at least two commissioners, it was very disturbing," said Patrick. "People started wondering about the ethics of these commissioners."

After pressure from residents, Patrick said the board passed the originally proposed ordinance, requiring a minimum two-acre lot size for residential developments. However, Patrick says the chair, Don Jernigan, added a motion. That motion, if passed, could bring the small lot plan back to the table down the road.

"That's something we'll have to look into," said Patrick. "The planning and zoning board will have to take that up."

Patrick said she and other residents aren't satisfied just yet. They want a recall of the commissioners for what she said has been proven unethical dealings between at least two of the commissioners.