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City Council returns to meet at City Hall; all agree larger meeting place is needed The return of the Washington City Council's monthly meeting to City Hall evoked a few warm memories, but even a smaller-than-usual crowd overflowed into the hallway and prompted council members to consider meeting in a larger venue for a few months. With the Edward B. Pope Community Center under renovation until early next summer, the meeting is back in its long-time home, the meeting room adjacent to the mayor's office that seats 30 or so. But in the last few years, citizen interest in and attendance at City Council meetings has swelled the normal crowd to 60, and council members agreed that more room was needed. In city business, City Administrator Mike Eskew told the council that in one of the state-mandated city water samplings in September, two test sites indicated a coliform problem. The sites were retested, and were found to be acceptable. "Our water is safe, it has been safe, and it will continue to be safe," Eskew said. He said that the water report will be printed in the next issue of The News-Reporter. The council gave permission to use The Square for a free concert by Melba Moore Thursday night, October 19 in conjunction with the Georgia Black Mayors Conference. Relating to that, citizen Philip Rothman rose earlier in the meeting to propose to the Mayor that a resolution be passed for a day of welcome for the Georgia Black Mayors Conference. "A proclamation would stress the importance of the conference to youth," he said. Later in the meeting, councilman G.L. Avery proposed just such a proclamation. Councilman Pamela Eaton seconded, and all members voted in favor. The city also approved a request by the Iris Garden Club to place a memorial to Marine Lance Corporal Phil Scarborough in Memorial Park on West Robert Toombs Avenue. The council passed a beer and wine license for the new owner of the Gartrell Cafe, Lovella Gartrell. Avery, as is his custom, voted against the license. In other action, Eskew announced that the 7th District of the Georgia Municipal Association would hold its fall meeting in Washington on November 9, and that the city council's annual retreat would be held at Ficklen Presbyterian Church on October 20. Councilman Maceo Mahoney asked that the council consider having a day of appreciation for all city workers. Mayor Willie Burns expressed his appreciation to the Washington Kiwanis Club for its efforts in cleaning up and refurbishing city parks. "We need more citizens like these," he said. The meeting had started with reports on tourism and economic development efforts. Tourism Director Ashley Turner gave an update on the upcoming Mule Day/Rayle Ramble, and pointed out that the Atlanta Journal-Constitution would feature Washington and Mule Day in Friday's paper, and that she had done both radio and newspaper advertisements and press releases. Turner also said that she was working with Councilman Mahoney on a Martin Luther King Day celebration for January. Payroll Development Authority Director David Jenkins reported that two prospective companies offering 85 jobs were considering locating in Washington-Wilkes, and that representatives from the Georgia Department of Economic Development had toured the city. Citizen Michelle White rose to speak in rebuttal of an anti-pool statement last month. "I've researched the benefits of having a community pool," she said. A community swimming pool would give youth a place to go, and senior citizens would benefit from the exercise available. She said that the danger of drowning could be addressed with liability insurance.
The mayor said that the pool committee would be meeting Monday October 16 at 10 a.m. at City Hall, and anyone was welcome to attend.
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