Frequent comments: “We can’t stop it!” “It is too late” “We will be sued.” BAULDERDASH! The incumbent commissioners changed a lot of policies with little public input. These policies can be changed!

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Oconee Can Change BOC Makeup and Sewer-MPD Policies

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By Wendell Dawson, Editor, AVOC, Inc.        Another Voice Oconee County

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The key ingredient in MPDs is access to the County’s limited sewer capacity.   Much capacity has been committed without the availability of the ‘master study’ or at least the publication of the J J & G study commissioned last year by the commissioners.

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Frequent comments:“We can’t stop it!”   “It is too late”   “We will be sued.”BAULDERDASH!   The incumbent commissioners changed a lot of policies with little public input.   These policies can be changed!       

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I recently spoke at a meeting of Citizens for Oconee’s future -about 30 or more people- at the Oconee County Library-May 13, 2004..      

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The following is asummary of my remarks that addresses several issues:

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1.A BOC cannot bind its successors in GA.   Therefore, any uncompleted contracts can be rescinded by next board.   (Referendum approvals do survive the change in personnel - spending priorities and schedules can be changed).

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2.To make any real changes will require change in “make-up” of current board and county attorney.The incumbents are “compromised” and beholden to special interests.They will not be able to reverse their previous policies.

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3.Beware of “election season” promises.   The current commissioners have a track record.They have too many Executive Sessions.Too much has been done and promised in one-on-one meetings in Chairman’s office and elsewhere.

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4.Sewer service is the key ingredient of MPDs.   The allowing of sewer service for residential use was a drastic change and a mistake and was done without real public input or discussion.   Sewer capacity is almost all “spoken for” and would prevent us from serving in large commercial or industrial prospect at Orkin site.

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Some suggested actions:

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May 13, 2004

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5-12-04 Modifying MPDs in Oconee County

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1.      Moratorium while whole policy is considered and public hearings are held;

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2.      Have an independent legal analysis from someone outside the area and not involved with local Development Industry and lenders;

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3.      Rescind any contracts pending for Sewer capacity increases until we know details.Contracts with Developers are not binding on future commissioners;

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4.      Halt all residential sewer connections until professional study is done and we know how much capacity we have and will need;

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5.      Eliminate MPDs for all not already started in the channels.Oral promises by Chairman and commissioners are not binding on future boards or county;

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6.      Modify any Planned Use Development Ordinance - and sewer service- to be located on major traffic corridors near interchanges like GA 316, Hwy 78 and Loop.Needs to be near existing facilities and pedestrian friendly communities- and not scattered;  

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7.     The cry that “we will be sued” is just a “cop-out”.  The commissioners created the legal quagmire and new commissioners need to “un-create it”.   We need a new County Attorney unaffiliated with local Real Estate Business."