We have proof that positive change is not just a distant dream but can be a tangible reality in local government. Transforming a bad situation into something better is feasible and achievable if you are willing to speak up and act.
It was very disappointing that the City Council of Peachtree City decided to hold official meetings in Gwinnett County (July), away from the constituents. Additionally, I was told that there are no video or audio recordings of those meetings, which is totally inexcusable.
Suzanne Brown was the only city council member who opposed the out-of-town meetings. I asked her what transpired at the meetings and was surprised to hear that a majority of council members are finally feeling pressured enough to make some changes.
Is the gate of secrecy being opened?
I have consistently criticized the secretive closed-door meetings the council members were having on granting significant “administrative” zoning variances in violation of the Georgia Open Meetings Act and skirting the law through “two-by-two” meetings with city staff where the council members discuss essential issues in two’s that should take place in public meetings.
The public exposure forced Mayor Kim Learnard to follow state law on the administrative zoning variance meetings. Likewise, according to Council Member Brown, the city will drop the secretive two-by-two meetings and bring those discussions to the public city council meetings where they should have been all along.
Unfortunately, the public meetings for those new public discussions will be in the mornings, when most constituents cannot attend. At least the meetings will be on video for viewing later.
Council Member Brown also pushed to abolish an oppressive and irresponsible city council meeting policy. To hold down the criticism of their performance, the council would not allow the constituents to speak at city council meetings related to the items on that day’s agenda. The policy was absurd.
The policy was heavily criticized, and the entire council adopted a change that removed the prohibition on speaking on items on the city council meeting agenda.
Granted, these are baby steps, but the change does not occur if people fail to speak out.
Fayetteville makes a U-turn
The city council in Fayetteville stepped up and tried to repair some of their rezoning and multi-family development damage.
I have been very critical of the city council’s apparent indifference to property owners adjacent to their detrimental large rezonings. Numerous residents have contacted me to complain about the city government’s lack of attention and communication.
Here’s another baby step to report.
The private school in the downtown area, which was totally neglected in the rezoning discussions on an adjacent property, is finally getting some relief. The city has made the developer construct a privacy fence between the large multi-family complex and the school grounds.
The safety of the young students was a legitimate concern. It was incredibly disappointing that the city government did not require some conditions of approval to protect this small business and the students in the first place.
[Brown is a former mayor of Peachtree City and served two terms on the Fayette County Board of Commissioners. You can read all his columns by clicking on his photo below.]
