City Council authorizes study to explore city swimming pool
By KIP BURKE

The Washington City Council, at its regular February meeting Monday night, authorized a feasibility study to explore the options, costs, and expenses of a community swimming pool.

The city's swimming pool committee recommended that the feasibility study be done. The study, which will cost $8,500, will be done by Markey and Associates, the same company that did the Parks and Recreation master plan 10 years ago. The study will examine whether the community can afford to build and maintain a pool, which type of pool facility would be best, and how much use the facility might get for the money it costs.

Mayor Willie E. Burns led the meeting with council members the Rev. G.L. Avery, Nathaniel Cullars, Pamela L.G. Eaton, Ray Hardy, Maceo Mahoney, and Edward Pope Jr. in attendance. City administrator Michael Eskew, City Clerk Debbie Danner, and City Attorney Barry Fleming were also present.

Life Scout Mason Klaus addressed the council, requesting permission to conduct a cleanup of the School Street cemetery as his Eagle Scout project. If the city would furnish pea gravel, Klaus would furnish the tools and manpower. The council approved his request, and Mayor Burns said that he hoped others would take the initiative and help with the project.

In other business, the council approved a resolution approving the submission of an employee incentive program grant request. The $500,000 grant will help the city bring in a new industrial employer.

The council also approved resolutions concerning the Preserve America grants for preserving the School Street cemetery and for an archeological exploration of the Kettle Creek battlefield.

The council also approved an amendment to the 2006 budget, and authorized the use of The Square for the observance of The National Day of Prayer May 3.

Council members Maceo Mahoney and Ed Pope Jr. commented on their experiences at the recent Georgia Municipal Association council members' training they attended. "We learned a lot, and we truly appreciated the opportunity to go," Pope said.

Mahoney agreed that he had learned a great deal about the duties and responsibilities of a city council member. He mentioned a number of initiatives that he wanted to take action on based on what he'd learned in the training. "We need a time of fellowship for all city employees and city council members. Let's set a date," he said.

Mahoney said he also felt impressed that the city should undertake the requirements to become a certified "City of Ethics," and that city employee of the month program should be established. Mayor Burns thanked him for his report, and said that the City of Ethics program had been on his action list for a while.

The controversy over naming Whitehall Street after Dr. Martin Luther King continued. Councilman Cullars brought in petitions from the previous effort to rename the street several years ago. At the Mayor's request, City Attorney Barry Fleming said that the city now requires two surveys of landowners and residents to before a street can be renamed.

At the end of the meeting, Mayor Burns told the audience, "Don't get me wrong. The Mayor is in favor of naming a street after Dr. King, but the city has to go through the proper procedure to make the change."

Cullars also asked Washington Police Chief Mike Davis to post an officer on Whitehall Street at the intersection with Gordon Street after school to show the students where the crosswalk is.

Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Donna Hardy reported on the weekend's observation of the 228th anniversary of the Battle of Kettle Creek. She thanked all those city and county workers who made the observances possible. "And there was a great local turnout for the parade Saturday morning - our Boy Scouts, and Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts and 4-Hers all marched, and their parents all came out to watch."

She talked about Chamber initiatives on upgrading the community calendar on the city's web site, and working with business development plans. "People are wanting to move here and bring businesses," she said.

The Chamber is planning to have joint events with the Lincoln County Chamber, and is meeting with the McDuffie Chamber members this week. She reviewed upcoming events including the Spring Tour of Homes, a big national race at Aonia Pass motocross, and a visit from the circus in May.

Sue Davidson gave Tourism Director Ashley Turner Barnett's report to the council. Washington- Wilkes is being featured in Y'all Magazine's Tour of Homes issue, and a four-minute SkyRadio spot on economic development in Washington Wilkes is playing on Northwest Airlines flights and featured in their in-flight magazine. Southern Distinction magazine, she said, also has a feature this month of moviemaking in Wilkes County.

Davidson reported that Friday evening before the Spring Tour "A Taste of Washington" would be held on The Square, and that April's Festival of Music and Art would feature Grammy-winning local songwriter Hillary Lindsey.

Councilman Mahoney said that the Chamber of Commerce and the Tourism Director were doing an excellent job. "It feels good when I go to conferences and everybody compliments me on my city," he said. "I appreciate all the hard work y'all do."

Finally, Cullars requested that a copy of the city council meeting minutes be furnished to The News- Reporter. "They need some help with what actually happened in the meeting," he said, "instead of what they think happened."

When Cullars addressed the reporter in the audience, Mayor Burns indicated to Cullars that he was out of order and told him to move on.

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