SWGA Politics

See? What goes around really DOES come around

When it comes to the Dougherty Count School Board Fab Four, nothing seems to surprise me much.  Probably the biggest shock about the Albany Herald report in this morning’s paper is that it’s just so blatant it’s ridiculous.  For those that missed it, it turns out that Anita Williams-Brown received a letter of recommendation from Dr. Joshua Murfree for a principal’s position
in 2001.

I guess that’s what they mean by “what goes around comes around”, don’t you think? Read More …

Lee County Utility Authority Under Investigation

Per Jenna McWilliams of WFXL, the GBI is investigating possible “misuse of funds” (aka theft) by employees (notice the “s” there, as in more than one employee, as in apparently not an isolated incident in the department) of the Lee County Utility Authority.

Look for continued coverage here as more details are available – and obviously, I’ll try to gather any new facts I can on my own on this one.

Leesburg City Council Meeting Tonight

Tonight, the Leesburg City Council will meet at 6pm in City Hall.

On the Agenda are several routine items, including the monthly committee reports and the monthly update from Stevenson and Palmer regarding the new sewage treatment facility. Also to be discussed is the January 2010 Financial Statement, which I hope to be able to see – assuming there is some form of document.

Among the non-routine items to be discussed are a rezoning application, consideration of a water shed contract from Ecological Solutions, consideration of assisting the County in paying for the cost of the FEMA flood study that the Commissioners want done, and consideration of a temporary sign moratorium.
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Do you blame them from pulling out?

Yesterday, we learn that five of six candidates for the school superintendent pulled their names from consideration.  The sixth candidate is Dr. Joshua Murfree, who has been…well, let’s say…less than well received.  Frankly, I can’t say I blame the other finalists. Read More …

School Board to release names

Despite some of the members’ best efforts, the names of all finalists for the Dougherty County School Superintendent post being vacanted by Dr. Sally Whatley will be released as a result of reaching an agreement with local media outlets.  The board agrees to release the names of three finalists, of a possible six. 

Now, was that so hard? Read More …

School Board reaches deal

WALB is reporting that the Dougherty County School Board has reached an agreement with the three media outlets who filed suit over a failure to release the names of all finalists.  The deal will apparently release the names of the additional finalists.

More to come as more information is available.

Thoughts On Lee County Board of Commissioners Feb 23 2010 Meeting

First, I want to say thanks to Kevin Hogencamp of the Albany Journal. I’m not sure where in the paper he will place it, but he has told me that he will run my first ever actual newspaper report (rather than column, and complete with byline!) in tomorrow’s Albany Journal. This report concerns a five minute encounter near the end of the meeting between Commission Chairman Ed Duffy and Ralph Jackson – but I’ll get to that (complete with video) in a moment.

Overall, the meeting went fairly smoothly, though it got very bogged down in discussion of the proposed new probation service. Before the meeting, I had a chance to talk to Southwestern Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Rucker Smith, who is the primary agency head responsible for the proposed new service. He appeared to be very open before, during, and after the meeting, and I look forward to examining the issues of this service with him in the near future.
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Lee County Board of Commissioners Meeting Feb 11, 2010

Just before I head out for their Feb 23 meeting, I give you the video from the Feb 11 meeting. For my thoughts on some of the presentations, see this morning’s post.

Agenda
Agenda Packet

Part 1

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[UPDATED] Lee County Government Events Tonight

If I’ve read these signs in Leesburg correctly (I’ve been driving down the road when I passed them), there will be a public forum regarding the enhancements to the Robert B Lee/Lovers Lane Rd project from 4p – 6p. I’ll call Bob Alexander in County Planning today and update this if necessary.

[UPDATE] This event is actually THURSDAY afternoon, not this afternoon. Time is correct though.

Also tonight, at 6p in the Courthouse Annex is the regularly scheduled meeting of the Lee County Board of Commissioners.

The agenda can be found here, and the agenda packet is here.

I’m working on finishing the video uploads from the Feb 11 meeting right now, but based on those discussions here are my own recommendations for votes on the items on the Agenda:

Read More …

Lee County Census Sign Explosion Help Needed

Dear Friends,

I serve with many of your neighbors on the “We Count Lee Counts” committee here in Lee County. The committee’s sole purpose is to promote the Census and hopefully as a result, improve our county’s citizen’s response to the census mailing in Mid-March. The Census is vitally important to our County, our Region, and our State. It will serve as the primary basis upon which some 400 BILLION DOLLARS is divided up among the communities of our country. Conservative estimates put the value of each citizen we count at $1,700.00. That means if we miss you in the count, it cost Lee County $1,700.00 if we miss a family of 4 it cost us $6,800.00! We can not afford to miss one single person! This same information also determines how many representatives we have in Atlanta and in Washington and even how the lines are drawn in Lee County for the election of Commissioners and School Board Members.

In March, your home should receive a simple, 10 question, census form. Fill it out and send it back. Just a few minutes of your time could mean so much for your community. For every household that does not respond, census workers will attempt to contact and count, so by filling out your form and returning it, you are saving the cost of that census worker trying to track down your household. Money that we save for the Census Bureau is really our money, since all government money comes from you and I!
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