Friday, January 2, 2004
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Friday, January 2, 2004 |
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Sewer, elections top Senoia’s year By JOHN THOMPSON 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.
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