Dear Readers,

I have always explained to City Officials that I will gladly correct any incorrect information that I have written. So far, I have no takers except for Council Member Wizner.

In my last column I wrote, in part, about what the "observer" told them at the end of their retreat. The observer was in fact the Facilitator. This is usually a different person who attends every retreat for the past 13 years.

If you read my column you will note that this year's person, a Psychologist, told them that they are not all reading from the same playbook. The facilitator most certainly did "observe" and took notes.

I think that this is such a hair-splitting comment of Mr. Wizner's that seems to be common in postings made from City Hall. He also lectured me to "get a life." I would think that he could come up with something more original than this trite saying that went out with disco.

Now, let's get to the water rates issue. By now you should have all received your water bills. From what I heard at the May 8 city meeting on the subject, plus my own water bill and comments from citizens I know, many persons are confused and/or upset about the new rates.

My own bill has increased by about 20%. But that is still small compared to most other homeowners and I am really not complaining. I assume that the extra $2.00 reflects the past increases that should have been charged for January through April.

I still have questions about how this whole rate study was conducted. According to the Mayor the Georgia Rural Water Association conducted a study, made recommendations all for free.

The person who appeared at the May 8 meeting said that he is located in Brunswick which is a 4-5 hour long and boring drive. I understand that he has been up here several other times to meet with the Council and for other matters connected with the rate study. My questions are these:

1) Who suggested he do this study?
2) What does the "Rural" have anything to do with a clearly suburban city?
3) Why is he doing this for free?
4) Why do they not separate out the non-water part of the bill ie: Maintenance, billing service?
5) Why did they not hold city meetings to explain all of this before the rate changes were made?

As mentioned in a previous article it would be a good idea to start a kitty for future brakes above what they usually charge as "maintenance". Is this what has happened here?

At the May 8 meeting there were no elected persons save one council member who said anything. The Interim City Manager did his usual good job of introducing the guest and he then conducted the entire meeting. I know that this is a hot potato yet it screams for responsibility and explanation from our elected members.
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On another matter, the Interim City Manager wrote on my column that the now "resigned" City Manager had been given some projects to do. Since his pay and time is running out, what has happened to these projects? Are they finished or near finished? Is he to write a report that will be made public?

Elsewhere. The Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens was in Cobb last week. He met with (according to the MDJ) county and city officials. He spoke about the new Public Meeting Law.

He suggested that closed meetings for public employee performance is a gray area and should not be used except for "paramount issues".  I think our City has received the message that I first wrote about some months ago and has now been enshrined in State Law.

Thanks for reading this,

Tom Bevirt