Citizens committee votes to strip BOC chairman's power, fundamentally change county's form of government

After weeks of public meetings, a citizens committee on Thursday night voted to strip the power of future chairmen of the Barrow County Board of Commissioners.

The Barrow County Charter Review Committee voted unanimously to recommend the following fundamental changes to Barrow County’s form of government:

• replace the county's “strong chairman” with a professional manager or administrator who would run the day-to-day operations of the county.

• change the position of chairman of the Barrow County Board of Commissioners to part time, with his primary duties being to run board meetings and to represent the county around the region and the state.

• reduce the chairman’s salary to reflect his reduced responsibilities.

• remove the chairman’s veto power but allow him to make motions and to vote on all issues like the six district commissioners.

• reduce to three the number of commissioners needed in addition to the chairman or chairman pro-tem in order to constitute the quorum legally required to conduct business at a meeting.

• allow that in the event of the absence of both the chairman and the chairman pro-tem, four commissioners be allowed to call a meeting but require that any approved action have four affirmative votes.

Comments

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#1 DuWayne R. Anderson on 06/10/11 at 07:43 AM [Reply]

Having attended this meeting last night, I can tell you that this committee has done an excellent job, and worked very hard to offer real solutions to the issues that face the county.
Also, I would like to take yhis opportunity to thank Chairman Ray Newman for his leadership during this process, to make a concerted effort to listen to all the citizens input on the matters at hand. Well done!
DuWayne

#1.1 Jack Legg on 06/10/11 at 10:27 AM [Reply]

I was also at that meeting and am very proud that this group of citizens has represented the public interest, we all know that der commisars have not.If they can smell the political winds that are blowing the way I think they can then all will vote to take these recomedations execpt of course for dumbwood.
It will soon be time to move forward with the more pressing concerns about our local economy with thorny issues of tax cuts or tax hikes and levels of county service that the TAXPAYERS wish to see provided.
get a leg up in 2012

#1.2 Anonymous on 06/10/11 at 11:48 AM [Reply]

Hey DuWayne, did you see Jack Legg and his band of imaginary friends at the meeting? Maybe you can enlighten us as to his true identity

#1.2.1 DuWayne R. Anderson on 06/10/11 at 03:53 PM [Reply]

No I didn't. I was given the opportunity to speak first, since all of the others in attendance had spoken on the points they were interested in at other previous meetings. While several citizens did speak to the issues, no one who spoke gave their name as "Jack Legg".
All of my questions/points were written down, as were all of the other citizens who spoke. The committee was fair and balanced in it's consideration of citizen comments. Some media was present, so you can call the local papers to get facts.
DuWayne

#2 Matthew on 06/10/11 at 08:55 AM [Reply]

While I agree with most of the outlines mentioned, I have to wonder 'who' it was that voted on this? I sure didn't. No one I know sure didn't. In the future, I would like to see votes such as these not be so arbitrarily taken.

#2.1 Anonymous on 06/10/11 at 11:41 AM [Reply]

The Barrow County Charter Review Committee voted...

Read, boy, read.

The committee that the BOC and Yearwood created to look into changing to a county manager style of government.

#2.1.1 Matthew on 06/11/11 at 01:35 PM [Reply]

Don't know how I missed that. Thanks for clarifying what that committee was however. That would have been my next question.

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Citizens committee votes to strip BOC chairman's power, fundamentally change ...

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Citizens committee votes to strip BOC chairman's power, fundamentally change county's form of government

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