Prior to getting elected as Tyrone’s “leader” Don Rehwaldt championed:
Prompt recording and publishing of Council Minutes on the web

Using revenue from an enterprise fund (sanitation) to fund other activities is simply illegal (o.c.g.a. 36-81-2). Even

At a special called meeting on July 23, advertised to discuss employee insurance plans, Tyrone’s new and “open council” added to their agenda the setting of the property tax rate for 2008.

Tyrone’s new council continues to operate in violation of State Law. The latest, according to the Tyrone web site, concerns the new budget.

In six months the new town council has accomplished much:
1. Held secret meetings before taking office where decisions effecting the Town were made

The previous Town Council believed that having a viable and vibrant town was only possible through proper planning. To insure that the future of Tyrone was what the majority of the citizens wanted they invested in having a professional planning firm develop a comprehensive plan for the town. This plan that was unanimously adopted would have preserved the small town atmosphere while insuring adequate infrastructure would exist to accommodate the future citizens and the need for services. Since January it appears that all previous planning was thrown away and this council has adopted the “react” mode of dealing with problems. This is especially evident by their actions concerning septic problems with the fire station. First they threw away the plan for limited public sewer for the downtown commercial area. Now that they are faced with a fire station that must relocate if it has no way to dispose of its waste they react by looking at turning Shamrock Park and now Triangle Park into septic cesspool. If they are successful, no longer will the citizens be able to enjoy a nice picnic at either park without the odor of sewage in the air, nor take a walk around the lake with the stench of sewer. Of course all activities on the grounds will also be eliminated (easter egg hunt, St. Patrick Day events, etc.). It is sad that Tyrone did not need to be in this bad shape. If this group would only follow the desires of the citizens as they promised and not their own personnel agenda the Town could move forward and not backwards.

Last fall the current Town Mayor and Council ran on a platform that included accountability to the citizens. Unfortunately, this was only a campaign promise not something that they actually intended to follow through on.

This past weekend I went by Shamrock Park for a nice walk and was shocked at the destruction that has taken place around the lake.

Last month I expressed concern about the “new group” and their discovery of a money tree (taxpayers). Now if I remember correctly, when Grace Caldwell was a county commissioner she was always wanting the amount of attorney fees paid to Bill McNally made public.

At the last Town Council meeting Judy Jefferson presented a bid or bids for “Phase I” improvements at Shamrock Park for approval. The agenda item was listed as “Judy Jefferson – Shamrock Park Restoration Committee Report”. The Town management did not provide any information to the taxpayers that bids were to be presented for some type of work at Shamrock Park (removal of the basketball court?). This action without public input does bring up a few questions:

On January 24 the “new group” held a special called meeting for changing the charter of Tyrone. At that meeting according to The Citizen News the new Town Barrister (at his hourly rate using a common term like attorney is not fitting) Dennis Davenport said “The Town has functioned both previously and still today under a WEAK Mayor model of government.” At that meeting Mayor Rehwaldt stated that it was appropriate for the Town Manger and Police Chief to have hiring and firing responsibility in their respective departments.

At last Thursday nights Town Council meeting silence about an upcoming called council meeting the very next Thursday was the order of the night.

After watching the “new group” for two meetings it is evident that they have discovered a money tree. First they fire the existing Town Manager/Town Engineer.

Take a look at the Tyrone Town Council Agenda for Jan 3. Now we know what it takes to get Cal's endorsement (item 15)