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Full story: The Times-Herald

Grantville may get some much-needed sewer system repairs done if the Georgia Environmental Protection Division approves the rehabilitation project.

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Rambo

Atlanta, GA

Grantville City Council proposes to change city charter regarding Ordinances. As a result, citizens will not be notified in advance of passage of ordinances or amendments to ordinances.

Under the current city charter, the council may choose to give either a five day notice or a 45 day notice. Will someone tell me what is going on here? The proposed change does not require a proposed ordinance be posted, be read at a meeting,nothing! Simply, presented in written form to the council at a meeting and voted on. This will affect any ordinance other than those requiring advance notice by state law.

This is not right! Your zoning could be changed and you would not know in advance about the proposed change. Ordinances are the laws for this city and it seems to me the public has the right to know (in advance) what is being considered.

Somebody

Jonesboro, GA

Rambo,

It looks like you have good intentions and you have a right to be upset, but you have mistated some facts. Not sure where you are getting your information, but let's go over your stated claims. The city council did not propose the change, the Mayor did. The council was asked to vote on the propsed changes. Was not voted on because the proper information regarding the changes was not given to the council with enough advance.

Here is a paraphrased version of what the current charter says (copy in my hand, available to the public).
Here are the two options to adopt an ordinance:
Option #1 - Full written text of proposed ordinance posted at 2 consecutive council meetings, not less than 7 days and not more than 45 days apart. Ordinance announced at first meeting, then made available at City Hall. Ordinance then may be adopted at a second or subsequent meeting.
- or -
Option #2 - At least 5 days, but no more than 45 days prior to the meeting of Council at which ordinance shall be considered for adoption, the city shall publish in official legal organ of Coweta County or newspaper of general ciculation . Ordinance made available at City Hall for public inspection. The ordinance may be adopted at the advertised meeting or any following meeting as long as meeting is advertised.

Option # 2 of the current ordinance makes it difficult for the public to comment as well.
As for what the new ordinance says, I don't know, but if it is like you describe, then it should not be passed.

Rambo wrote:

Grantville City Council proposes to change city charter regarding Ordinances. As a result, citizens will not be notified in advance of passage of ordinances or amendments to ordinances.
Under the current city charter, the council may choose to give either a five day notice or a 45 day notice. Will someone tell me what is going on here? The proposed change does not require a proposed ordinance be posted, be read at a meeting,nothing! Simply, presented in written form to the council at a meeting and voted on. This will affect any ordinance other than those requiring advance notice by state law.
This is not right! Your zoning could be changed and you would not know in advance about the proposed change. Ordinances are the laws for this city and it seems to me the public has the right to know (in advance) what is being considered.

Rambo

Atlanta, GA

Somebody wrote:

Rambo,
It looks like you have good intentions and you have a right to be upset, but you have mistated some facts. Not sure where you are getting your information, but let's go over your stated claims. The city council did not propose the change, the Mayor did. The council was asked to vote on the propsed changes. Was not voted on because the proper information regarding the changes was not given to the council with enough advance.
Here is a paraphrased version of what the current charter says (copy in my hand, available to the public).
Here are the two options to adopt an ordinance:
Option #1 - Full written text of proposed ordinance posted at 2 consecutive council meetings, not less than 7 days and not more than 45 days apart. Ordinance announced at first meeting, then made available at City Hall. Ordinance then may be adopted at a second or subsequent meeting.
- or -
Option #2 - At least 5 days, but no more than 45 days prior to the meeting of Council at which ordinance shall be considered for adoption, the city shall publish in official legal organ of Coweta County or newspaper of general ciculation . Ordinance made available at City Hall for public inspection. The ordinance may be adopted at the advertised meeting or any following meeting as long as meeting is advertised.
Option # 2 of the current ordinance makes it difficult for the public to comment as well.
As for what the new ordinance says, I don't know, but if it is like you describe, then it should not be passed.
<quoted text>

Sorry, but this is the first time I have been on Topix since the meeting at which the proposed change to the city charter was made.

Yes, I know what the charter says and yes I had a copy of the proposed change. Therefore, I am certain of how the public would have been affected had the change been accomplished. It was very obvious to me that certain members of the city council had not even read the document. SAD!

The governing body consists of the Mayor and four (4) councilmen. Because the Mayor does not hold agenda worksession, no one knows how things get on the agenda. Yes, it seemed as if it was a proposal from the mayor. However, that was not the point of my comment. A change to the city charter was the point. You are correct in stating it did not pass. However, are you suggesting it will come up again after due notice?

S E Holbrook

Newnan, GA

You are beating a dead horse Mr. Rambo.

The Mayor and Council make their own rules up as they go to benefit them and the city, not the residents.

You can attend the meetings, sunmit the writeen documentation, and stradle their hoops and hurdles, and then maybe you can get what you need.

I hope that you have a positive return in this matter.

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