The Tri-County Journal
& Chattahoochee Chronicle
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Buena Vista, GA 31803
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By RICHARD HARRIS
(From the January 10, 2007 issue)
The Commission of the Unified Government of Cusseta-Chattahoochee County held its first meeting of the year on Tuesday, Jan. 2, with three new members. The commissioners discussed a wide range of issues, but a couple of central themes seemed evident: they don’t want unchecked growth, and they want the input of the public.
Also during the meeting they elected veteran commissioner Wade Coleman as chairman and newcomer Donald Moore as vice-chairman. They also filled the local government’s top full-
Rezoning
The commissioners voted on three requests to rezone property and denied two of them.
A request by Joe Meadows to rezone less than an acre from residential to commercial was denied. The property is located on Old Friendship Road and there are homes right beside it. Meadows had hoped to put a barbecue business at the site.
The request to rezone 450 acres on Gordy Mill Pond Road for a developer who wanted to use the land to develop “Cusseta Pines” with high-density homes (up to 1,000 homes) was also denied. Several factors were cited as reasons for the decision, including:
1. The DRI (a state-mandated study of such large developments) suggested that the proposed mega subdivision was not in the best interest of the region;
2. There were major traffic concerns, as Gordy Mill Pond Road is not a wide road and attempts to widen it would be difficult at best;
3. The local Planning Commission heard more citizen complaints about the proposal than it has heard for any other proposals in recent years, and recommended that the commission deny the request.
“If the Cusseta Pines plan was approved, it would have changed the whole character of that area,” noted Interim Manager David George.
The only rezoning request approved was for a request by William Robertson to rezone 3.24 acres at the intersection of Highway 26 and Highway 137 from residential to commercial. This is for a planned real estate office and the property is in an area that is expected to soon have new homes constructed for sale, so it seemed like a natural fit.
Public Input
The commissioners also made two changes in the way they conduct their meetings in an effort to make it easier for local citizens to both become informed and give their opinions.
They have done away with the requirement that anyone wishing to speak at meetings must arrange to be on the agenda in advance. Instead, they will have a portion of the meeting in which an “open forum” will be held, allowing anyone an opportunity to speak.
They also voted to hold every other meeting in the evening so that people who work during the day will have more opportunities to attend commission meetings. (The 2007 meeting schedule is printed elsewhere in this issue of the newspaper.)
Sewage System Plans
Commissioners had planned to discuss the sewer project, but tabled the topic to give officials more time to review the facts and options. They will discuss various possibilities in a planning session before their next regular meeting.
Such “planning sessions” (alternately referred to as “work sessions”) are another new thing for the commission. They will meet to discuss, but not vote on, issues one week before each regular monthly meeting. They hope this will allow for more in-depth analysis of issues and help prevent officials from being asked to vote on important matters without a lot of preparation.
Other Items
During the meeting, the commissioners also:
* Voted to have Albright, Fortenberry & Ninas to perform an audit from the final years of operation of the City of Cusseta government (fiscal years 2002 and 2003).
* Voted to dismiss the appeal of a court ruling which ordered the local government to cease the establishment of a new police department.
* Voted to reinstate around $300,000 to the budget of the Chattahoochee County Sheriff’s Office.
* Appointed Commissioner Walt Rosso to the Board of Directors for the Lower Chattahoochee Regional Development Center.
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2006 All-Area High School Football Team announced
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Crucial decision time about consolidation in Webster
Schley tips off Youth Recreation Basketball season
Cusseta Chamber of Commeerce celebrates success
Millard Fuller delivers big challenge to Cusseta Chamber members
Marion County High invites public to Open House
Regional Library System tours Pasaquan
Macedonia Baptist Brotherhood plans Wild Game Supper
Lady Eagles defeat Heard, fall to Crawford
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MLK Jr. Commemorative Parade set for Jan. 13 in Buena Vista
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Marion boys win 1, lose 1
Secret Santa Program for foster children was a big hit
Muscadines - True Fruit of the South
Chattahoochee Middle School victorious over St. Annes
Ellaville company takes part in Quick Start training
Phillips Family Reunion was a huge success
SCHS Lady Cats battle Brookstone and Greenville
Webster Elementary-Middle School plans Open House
Rembert named Teacher of the Month
Marion 4-H'ers team up with Share the Season
Over 150 kids visit with Santa at Marion Public Library
Santa makes surprise stop in Preston
Schley County High Council to meet
Wodzinski, McCarter take Student of the Week honors
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Whaley celebrates fifth birthday
News from LK Moss Primary School
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