General public absent at gov’t reform hearing

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General public absent at gov’t reform hearing

Posted by

Mike Buffington

in Top Stories & Breaking News

Tuesday, May 10. 2011

Comments (8)

It was meant to be a hearing for the general public to have a say in reforming the functions of county government, but only a handful of public officials showed up.

The Barrow County Charter Review Committee held its first meeting Tuesday night in Auburn. Several Auburn and Carl officials attended the hearing and commented on the issues, along with Dave Wills and James F. Grubiak, of the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia, and Jim Dove, executive director of the Northeast Georgia Regional Commission.

But members of the general public were absent.

The next public hearing for the charter review committee is May 17 at Bethlehem City Hall in Bethlehem at 7 p.m.

Although the public was absent, the committee did take one issue off the table for discussion — the potential consolidation of all the county’s government into one government.

Auburn Mayor Linda Blechinger said she was against consolidating the county into one government because some cities, like Auburn and Braselton, overlap in two or more counties.

Committee member John King also spoke against consolidation. He said each area has its own identity.

Committee chairman Ray Newman prefaced Tuesday’s hearing with three talking points that could mean “a total revamping” of the current structure.

Newman’s talking points were: Reconsideration of the chairman's vetoing power; whether the county should hire an administrator or manager to handle the county's day-today operations; and the idea of government consolidation.

For the full story, see the May 11 issue of the Barrow Journal.

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#1 Anonymous on 05/16/11 at 05:05 PM [Reply]

You go, you speak, you don't go, you don't speak -- doesn't matter, they will do as they please. The BOC could care less what the citizens of Barrow want or how they feel.

#1.1 Anonymous on 05/17/11 at 06:34 AM [Reply]

You are absolutely right, but it isn't just the Barrow BOC that doesn't care what the people want or how they feel. Every level of government is the same way. Either the people in it are power mad dictators who only care about what they want, or they are just there to draw a paycheck. Nobody in the government cares what anybody else wants or how anyone else feels.

And the public knows this ALL TO WELL. The proof is the lack of attendance at these so called "reform" hearings.

Hey mister and miss "government", deny it all you want. Any half-wit can see that the facts speak for themselves.

#2 Pseudopseudonym on 05/17/11 at 06:56 AM [Reply]

They hold a meeting at 7pm on a Tuesday and you're surprised no one showed up? People have stuff to do to get ready for the next day of thankless, poorly compensated work.

Hold it on a Saturday and see what happens.

#2.1 Knock Knock on 05/17/11 at 03:17 PM [Reply]

Foment a revolution, why don't you? Commies are always whining about their puny paychecks.

#3 Robert Lanham on 05/18/11 at 08:29 AM [Reply]

First of all, I'm not sure what time you would think appropriate for a public hearing. Most of our government bodies hold their meetings at night because that is when citizens can get out and attend them. I think it is unfortunate that more people haven't attended these meetings, but I don't believe it is becuase they are being held at night. And, as to the point that elected officials don't listen, I will also disagree. Most of our elected officials (notice that I said most) want and welcome input. I have spoken to both the city of Winder council and the County Commission. I haven't always prevailed, but I know that they were listening and taking my thoughts into consideration. I've also had conversations with individuals on both of those bodies, as well as out state representatives, and I am convinced that they all welcomed my input.

#4 DuWayne R. Anderson on 05/19/11 at 01:31 PM [Reply]

The Commissioners are under no legal obligation to accept or implement the findings of the Charter Review Committee, when their final input is given. Business as usual is always still an option for The BOC. I think if you gave this Review Committee options with teeth in it, some things could change.
DuWayne

#5 Metro on 05/19/11 at 04:18 PM [Reply]

How do I put in a bid to run for mayor? :)

#6 Unbelievable on 05/20/11 at 04:18 AM [Reply]

So, rather than become actively involved with your community and local government, it seems y'all prefer to offer excuses as to why no one showed up for these public meetings. "The government doesn't care, doesn't matter what we say" or "But it's on a Tuesday at 7PM". Great, so an abundance of apathy for how our county is being run and watching "Dancing With the Stars" is priority. Don't like the way Barrow is being handled but don't attend any public meetings? Then stop complaining on a blog about it. Typical, just like non-voters. They'll whine and moan about everything, but do nothing about it. This is the first I've heard about the meetings, and you can be sure if there is another one, I will be in attendence. I strongly urge each and everyone of you to show up too, and have your say, regardless of how "pointless" it is. It is THAT attitude that has allowed government, over the years, to get too big for their britches.

PS, going to "thankless, poorly compensated work"?. Be thankful you have job to go to, in this economy.

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