City Council Gives, Earns Praise

The Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the were presented with a framed copy of the Declaration of Independence by a local organization during Thursday's meeting at the City Hall.

The Capt. John Collins Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution wished to honor City Hall for it's commitment to the organization and for honoring the veterans of past and current armed conflicts.

“If we don't learn from the past, we won't know what the future brings,” said former chapter president Curtis McWaters. “All those people died for what we have today.”

One of McWaters' direct ancestors, William McWaters, served in the South Carolina militia during the Revolutionary War. William's brother John is mentioned in the Draper Manuscript Collection, a preeminent source of Revolutionary War information.

The group decided to honor the Mayor and Board of Aldermen specifically for the in April and for the held at Patriots Point to commemorate Memorial Day.

“We remember the great acts you do in the community, and we want to thank you for remembering us,” said Mayor Tommy Allegood.

The Declaration, which was framed with the colors of Gen. George Washington's uniform, will hang in City Hall as a permanent reminder of the presentation.

Members of the Board of Aldermen also took time to praise the efforts of their staff and the various department heads for trimming expenses yet again. City Manager Brian Bulthuis discussed the fiscal year 2011-12 budget and announced there would be a fund surplus of $50,000 despite the rising cost of gas and falling revenues from property taxes. Bulthuis said there would be no property tax increases next year.

“Our staff and the department heads have done a great job,” Bulthuis said. “This is their third or fourth year without raises, but they understand what has to be done to keep the city running.”

Alderman Bob Weatherford echoed the sentiments of the board. “I hate that we can't give them raises,” he said, “but at least they have jobs.”

The Mayor and Board of Aldermen had more business to attend to. The board heard requests to add a more visible sign at Regions Bank and to rezone the remaining 1.1 acres of land at the Carruth Street Housing Projects to a Senior Living Community. Representing the Marietta Housing Authority at the meeting was Pete Waldrop.

Waldrop informed the board that the remaining structures at the site will be torn down by the end of next week. A $14 million loan will be secured shortly thereafter to construct the new facilities, and they expect to be moving in new tenants on July 1, 2012.

After members of Boy Scout Troop 719 lead the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance and the Sons of the American Revolution made their presentation, the board unanimously approved the evening's consent agenda. Along with the new sign at Regions and the rezoning of the Carruth Street Housing, the following items of note were included:

• Two hourly positions in the Public Works Department will be eliminated and replaced with a salaried position.

• 4700 School St. (for $6,200).

• 4803 School St. (for $7,035).

• 4467 Northside Dr. (for $7,600).

The agenda can be found in its entirety here.