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News Briefs

County fires its insurance co.

Fayette County has fired its insurance consultant, The

Jonathan, after the company billed the county for time spent talking to the press.

"My blood pressure went through the roof," county

commissioner Harold Bost said Thursday. He had gone over the June bill from

The Jonathan and found the county had been billed an hour and a half for

an interview with the Atlanta Journal/Constitution concerning

Bost's criticism of the firm.

Commission chairman Robert Sprayberry called a special

meeting when he learned of the billing. "We're not going to stand for

that," he said. Commissioners voted unanimously to end the contract.

"I regret the action this board has felt it necessary to take but I

understand the extreme political pressures under which they are

operating and have operated for some time now," said The Jonathan

president John Grunden in a news release. "We are proud of the work we

have done for Fayette County, its employees and all the taxpayers."

Car rental, Christian bookstore coming

Owners will develop a car rental business at 320 S. Glynn St.,

Fayetteville, formerly a used car lot, and a Merlin Muffler shop

appears likely for 280 N. Glynn St.

The city Planning Commission approved a variance and

development plan for Enterprise Rent-A-Car, and approved a special

exception to allow Merlin within the city's historic district, but tabled

Merlin's development plan to get more detail.

The group also approved elevations for Joshua's Bookstore at

Fayette Pavilion.

Planning commissioners said "no" to Valvoline. The

company wants to put a shop at 110 Ga. Highway 314. Representatives

said they will appeal to City Council.

Dave Hamrick

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