The search is on for a City Administrator to replace former City Manager Brian McDougal.

Here is the Ad that appeared in the Sunday's Valdosta Daily Times Classifieds section.

The job description is available in the Documents section of the City of Remerton website .  Click here for the direct link to the pdf.

And, via the GMA, the opening is listed on the Georgia Local Government Access Marketplace website.

(That little ad in the VDTimes cost a mere $175 for one day, the one through GMA is included in the dues paid.  RemertonNews is including the ads as part of our ongoing free Public Service Announcements policy)

While checking the server logs for RemertonNews on Monday morning, this Google search was discovered:

 "Did you like Brian McDougal in Remerton? "

It was entered from somebody's cable modem in Shawnee, OK around 11:30 PM, Sunday evening.  We don't know if it was an anxious employee of the city wondering about the new boss he would meet the following morning, a curious citizen or even Brian himself indulging in a bit self googling.

This Editor's answer to that query would be, "Sure, we liked Brian McDougal in Remerton, but we like him much, much more in Shawnee". 

Monday, Feb. 2nd is Brian's first day as City Manager of Shawnee, OK.  Good luck Brian, good luck Shawnee.

The GEFA loan Remerton applied for to help pay for the transition to Valdosta water has been approved:

"The city of Remerton was approved for a Georgia Fund loan of $392,000 to install meters and backflow assemblies to connect to the city of Valdosta’s water system.  The city of Remerton is eligible for a discounted loan rate as a Georgia Signature Community, and will pay a 3.77 percent interest rate on the 15-year loan."

Click here for the complete story from the State of Georgia website.

Welcome Guest
Establish Quorum
Approval of Minutes from November 17, 2008

  1. Adoption of DDA Financial Report. – Jessica Freeman
  2. Discussion of DDA 2008 accomplishments. – Jessica Freeman

Old Business

  1. Update on obtaining a Better Home Town coordinator. – Jessica Freeman
  2. Discussion regarding noise ordinance consultant. – Jessica Freeman
  3. Discussion regarding alcohol ordinance rewrite. – Jessica Freeman

Adjourn

Remerton had a Special Called Meeting - Retreat on Saturday, Jan. 17th at the Goodwill Center.  The agenda consisted of: Discussion regarding the City Manager Position.

The facility was provided by Mayor Pro tem Reggie Stacks.  Refreshments were provided  by Council member Lydia Day.  Present  were Mayor Holsendolph, Council members Wood, Gordon, Stacks and Day.  Staff was represented by Police Chief Terrell, Probation Officer Jessica Freeman, City Clerk Lisa Mashburn, Public Works Director Ron Woods and City Attorney Brad Folsom.

The Valdosta Daily Times reporter did not attend, nor did the Editor of RemertonNews.  Here are some items gleaned from several attendees.

-There is a search for a new City Manager, but he will be called a City Administrator. The search committee is composed of Council members Ryan Gordon and Lydia Day.  The job description is being fine tuned.  Candidate applications will be whittled down to three and presented to the Mayor and Council.

-Instead of an outside audit of the City's books after the departure of the City Manager, Council member Sherry Wood and Mayor Holsendolph will conducted the audit.  Hmmm....

-The City Administrator and the DDA's advertised part time Downtown Manager position will likely be combined into one tull time position.

-In the ongoing assault on the public's participation in City Government it was decided that there will be no tolerance for speaking out during Council Sessions.  The time for audience members to comment on agenda items, or anything else will be only during Citizens to be Heard.  Comments will not be tolerated during  the Supreme Council's deliberations.  Be careful, or you may end up like the poor fellow to the left.

We suggest making your comments via text messages during meetings.  There is plenty of precedent for this.  Look around the room during any meeting and you'll notice numerous city employees, the city attorney and council members already engaging in this form of  communication.  Too bad texting is not anonymous. ≡O≡

-Public Works Director, Ron Woods, presented a study/proposal done in OCTOBER (three months after Council voted to pursue the Valdosta water option) that would keep the Remerton water system intact with some changes.  It looks like he and those not in favor of the Valdosta water option continued with their plans in opposition to the vote and the people who consume Remerton water.  More on this later...