DAHLONEGA, Ga. — Lumpkin County Manager Stan Kelly said Wednesday that he is still considering what disciplinary action to take against Larry Reiter, the county’s Director of Planning and Public Works, following an altercation at Yahoola Creek Park last week during which Reiter was arrested and charged with misdemeanor battery.

“We’re still investigating and getting statements from people,” Kelly said. “I’ll make a decision about what action to take based on what I hear. I can assure you there will be consequences if warranted. There’s already consequences because he has to deal with the justice system and with some administrative issues at Park and Rec. Based on what I know right now, however, I am not considering termination.”

Reiter was arrested last week following an altercation during a youth football practice. He has been released on $2,700 bond.

According to the arrest report filed by Lumpkin County Deputy Myron Ward, Reiter, 51, is accused of choking Brett Melanson, 42, after Melanson began arguing with Coach David Wood about how hard his son had been hit during practice.

Wood allegedly asked Melanson to leave the field and he did but, according to the report, returned and continued arguing. Wood said he then called police which, he added, made Melanson even more angry. At that point, Reiter stepped in and told Melanson to stop using foul language in front of the kids.

Wood stated that Melanson looked like he wanted to fight and Reiter grabbed him around the neck and let go when law enforcement arrived.

In his report, Ward stated there was a red mark around Melanson’s neck consistent with being choked and Melanson stated he wanted to press charges.

“I asked Larry if Brett was ever physical with him and he stated no,” Ward reported.

I then told Larry that Brett wished for charges and that he was under arrest for battery, at which point Larry told me that he wanted Brett arrested as well for poking him in the chest. “I told Larry that he had just told me that Brett didn’t touch him. I told Larry I would state in my report that he changed his story and Brett would not be arrested at this time.”

Melanson, however, was arrested the next day and charged with disorderly conduct.

Melanson’s attorney A.J. Richman said he is leaving the door open to a lawsuit against Reiter and possibly Lumpkin County.

“We are definitely looking forward to our day in court,” Richman said. “We’re investigating the case with our people now so we’ll find out what really happened as opposed to what they say happened.”