The Tri-County Journal
& Chattahoochee Chronicle
PO Box 850, 71 Webb Lane
Buena Vista, GA 31803
229-649-6397
tjournal@alltel.net

(From the January 17, 2007 issue)
     Last Thursday evening, the eight members of the Preston-Weston-Webster County Charter and Unification Commission present for their eleventh meeting voted unanimously to recommend the formation of a unified government for the county. The ninth member, absent due to illness, sent word by a fellow member of her support for consolidation.
     According to Chairman Stan Roberts, members of the Commission reached their decision after considering a large volume of information, much of which indicated that a unified government would likely provide

greater efficiency, cost savings, and more flexibility in administration and personnel management. Roberts said that the Commission had noted existing, extensive cooperation and de facto consolidation of several services among the three governments during its deliberations.
     The Charter and Unification Commission must now write and submit a report explaining the reasons they recommended consolidation. Three members, Jeanie Gregory, Jeff Schramm and Ross McCain, were appointed to draft the initial report, which will be reviewed by the full Commission at their next meeting, which will be held at 7 p.m. on February 1 at the Webster County Commissioners' office.
     Following the release of the Commissions' report, the group must host a public hearing to receive comments from citizens. Additionally, the governments of Preston, Weston and the county must hold hearings within 30 days of the release of the report to also receive public comment.
     The Charter and Consolidation Commission, following the release of the report and the conduction of public hearings, will begin the task of writing a charter which would, if ultimately approved by voters, become the governing document of the proposed, new government. The release of the charter is not expected for several months.