Friday, April 4, 2003
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Friday, April 4, 2003 |
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Commission argues over economic development angle By JOHN
THOMPSON Coweta County's choice of economic development techniques Tuesday morning exploded into a series of apologies and terse arguments. When the dust had settled, the Coweta County Commission decided to make the county's Development Authority the chief economic marketer for the county. The situation reached a boiling point last week shortly after 21st Century Coweta's president Scott Frederick resigned. A committee was established to "unify" the county's economic development issues. On the committee were commission Chairman Leigh Schlumper, Chamber President Sam Jones, Newnan Mayor Keith Brady and 21st Century's Robert Cordle. After hearing about the committee, Commissioner Robert Wood said he was not going to allow a committee to decide how economic development should occur in the county. 21st Century Coweta and the County Commission have clashed for years on economic development, with 21st Century perceived by county officials as being associated with the city of Newnan. Commissioner Greg Tarbutton asked for the economic issue to be placed on the agenda, which sparked the first outburst. Schlumper said as chairman she had the prerogative of not placing an item on the agenda. But the issue passed 3-2 and was put on the agenda. Tarbutton then made a motion to allow the Development Authority to serve as the marketing machine for the county. He said the person picked for the job would work at a freestanding office that was not on county property. Commissioner Vernon "Mutt" Hunter agreed with Tarbutton. "These people (the Development Authority) are geographically around the county. It gives all of our people representation," he said. But Commissioner Larry DeMoss said this was not the solution the county should be seeking. "This will not give us a unified approach," he said. Schlumper nearly became tearful over the issue. "I apologize for not being a better leader. We need true leadership for all the people," she said. Schlumper accused the commission of "dictating" the direction of economic development in the county. The commission passed Tarbutton's motion with Tarbutton, Hunter and Robert Wood supporting it, while DeMoss and Schlumper voted against it. After the meeting, Newnan Utilities chairman Dennis McEntire angrily confronted Tarbutton. McEntire told Tarbutton never to call him again and said he didn't understand the issues.
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