The biggest activities in Senoia

in 2003 were the starting of phase two of the city's sewer system

and the November elections.

Early in the year, the City

Council gave approval to the bids for the city's sewer system. The total

price for the system is $8.5 million, which is $2 million more than the

city expected when it estimated the price two years ago.

City engineer Ben Turnipseed

explained the nearly two-year delay in getting the project to the bid

status, plus the increased costs of fuel had increased the price.

The price also increased because

the city is upping the capacity at the treatment plant from 70,000 gallons

a day to 490,000 gallons a day to cover the city's growth over the

next few years.

The city had $6.6 million in

funding secured for the project, but later obtained a $1.9 million loan

from Rural Development to fund the project.

In the spring, the City Council

approved extending its moratorium until the end of October. The moratorium

was subsequently extended to Dec. 1, when it expired.

City administrator Murray McAfee

also recommended that no new subdivision plans be accepted during the

moratorium period.

Later in the spring, the council

approved a revision in its fines for breaking the law in the east Coweta

town.

Mayor Dianne Cleveland said

the fine structure had not been altered in eight years,and the current

fines were being gobbled up by mandatory charges, such as the county jail

fund, local victim assistance fund and courtware services fee.

The faster you go, though,

the higher the fine increases.

Speed between 16 and 20 miles

over the limit and the fine is $225. The city's portion increased

from $102.50 to $150.

If you've really got your

pedal to the metal, and are going between 21 and 25 miles over the limit,

the total fine is $350. Senoia's part of the fine jumps from $127.50

to $250.

In other public safety news,

2003 also saw the resignation of yet another police chief from the city.

Mayor Dianne Cleveland announced early in the summer that Chief Chuck

Cannarella had tendered his resignation Monday morning.

"He said the commute from

DeKalb and a family illness were the reasons for his resignation,"

Cleveland said.

After an executive session,

the City Council voted 4-1 to appoint Major Olitta Bennett as interim

police chief for the next six months. Later in the year, Bennett had the

interim removed from her title.

Early in the fall, the city

moved forward on impact fees.

Consultant Bill Ross of Ross

and Associates explained the impact fees would be used for upgrading the

city police station, library and recreation activities.

The impact fees were passed

in December and now each each developer will pay an additional $1,564

for each single family home built in the city.

In October, Senoia City Councilman

Pat Tunnell abruptly withdrew from the race for City Council. Tunnell

made the stunning announcement at a political forum at the Senoia Senior

Center.

"This past year has been

difficult for me. I will not allow (Senoia mayor) Dianne Cleveland to

bring my personal life into this," he said.

After his brief statement,

Tunnell left the center and the rest of the candidates looked at each

other with puzzled looks on their faces.

Because of Tunnell's withdrawal,

the two winning candidates for council were Larry Owens and Anthony "Tony"

Miller. Owens is retired from General Motors and lives in the Willowdell

subdivision.

Miller has lived in Senoia

for 12 years and plans to stay in the city for the rest of his life.

With the council race settled,

the only race left on Senoia's ballot in November was the mayoral

race between Cleveland and City Councilman Robert Hannah.

Hannah defeated Cleveland by

less than 50 votes in November and will take office Jan. 5.