June 19, 2008

Now down to business, I would like to first to thank Bill Andrew, the City Manager, and Lou Camiscioni, the Assistant City Clerk, as well as the rest of the city council for balancing the water, sewer, and solid waste funds that I fully support, and, I might add, they are all balanced for the first time in awhile. However, I could not support the water or sewer rates because of one reason – discrimination.

It appears that the majority of the council, less Mr. Lutz and myself, thought there should be different rates based on how long you have live inside the city limits of Flowery Branch. As Mr. Lutz stated, and was reported in the Gainesville Times and at Access North Ga., we both cannot understand how someone who moved into Flowery Branch prior to June 2007, and may live right next door to someone who moved in after June 2007, are paying different rates. The second largest user of water on a master meter, as reported, will receive rates at the Established Residential Water Users, at a base rate, up to 4,500, gallons of $19.90, and in tier 2, from 4,501 – 7,500 gallons at a rate of $4.35 per 1,000 gallons, and in tier 3, from 7,501 and over at a rate of $5.80 per 1,000 gallons compared to the New Residential Water Users, at a base rate, up to 4,500, gallons of $24.89, and in tier 2, from 4,501 – 7,500 gallons at a rate of $5.60 per 1,000 gallons, and in tier 3, from 7,501 and over at a rate of $7.46 per 1,000 gallons.

Different rates for people who live in the city limits based on a set time period. I do not understand this philosophy at all.

June 18, 2008

Today was a council meeting, which I knew, would be a bit more exciting than others, but I do not want to take away from two awards given to members of our fine city employees.

Before I go on, I would like to recognize Officer Brian Buffington, who today received the Life Saver Award, for notifying the residents on either side of a house, which was fully engulfed in flames in the late evening, who were sleeping in their homes, which were also on fire, to get them to safety. As Chief Gerald Lanich, revealed, Officer Brian Buffington risked his own personal safety while going into one of the homes to wake the resident.

Also, Officer Brian Buffington, and other fellow officers, were a key part of solving a case were schools in, Hall, Gwinnett, Fulton and Barrow Counties, were broken into and computers and other items were stolen resulting in nearly $100,000 worth of items were recovered.

I would also like to recognize the Flowery Branch Water and Sewer Department who received two Gold Awards from Georgia Association of Water Professionals for running an outstanding operation.

Please remember those individuals who run important services such as police, water, and sewer. Most people forget about the police, until they need them, or get mad when they get a ticket, but they are fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters, just like you and I, and are just trying to “protect and serve”. And remember when you wash your cloths, brush your teeth, or flush your toilet, there are great people ensuring the water and sewer is operating safely and efficiently.

Please read this article and this article.

Thank you to all our city employees.