Commissioner

Jim McGuffey says he is tired of Coweta County serving as

a "whipping boy" for Newnan Utilities.

McGuffey

used Tuesday's County Commission meeting to issue a call

for a meeting of minds between the Coweta County

Commission and Newnan Utilities.

He took

exception to recent statements by Newnan Utilities

director Dennis McEntire about the county's reluctance to

work together on joint water projects.

McGuffey

explained the county explored the option of drawing water

from West Point Lake in 1997 as a way to increase the

county's water capacity to 20 million gallons a day.

When Newnan

Utilities didn't pursue the efforts, the county started

seeking additional water resources from Spalding and

Fayette counties.

"The

only progress on obtaining additional water has been

through the efforts of the Coweta County

Commission," McGuffey said.

With water

becoming a more precious resource, governments are

scrambling to find additional sources. McGuffey suggested

that the governing boards from the county and Newnan

Utilities sit down to discuss the situation.

The other

commissioners agreed with him and said the meeting should

include staff, but only for informational purposes.

County

Administrator Theron Gay said he would contact Newnan

Utilities and set up a date for the meeting.