Hall commissioners delay sewer rate hike

GAINESVILLE - South Hall sewer customers who filled the county commission meeting room at the Georgia Mountains Center Thursday night got a reprieve; they won’t have to pay higher rates, at least for a while.

Those rates were the reason around 200 people showed up in protest; Chairman Tom Oliver amended the resolution to adopt a fee schedule for Hall County's new sewer system.

"Sterling on the Lake, Reunion and Village at Deaton Creek will remain on the flat $42 monthly rate until the end of the calendar year of 2009," Oliver motioned. "The county will reconsider the rates for these three subdivisions and hold public hearings in the third and fourth quarter of '09 before any rate changes are implemented."

Deaton Creek homeowner Phyllis Mercer spoke for the audience full of opponents, saying the 1,500 residents of those subdivisions should not be expected to foot the bill.

"We would have hoped for a lower ccf rate and get it over with, but since they chose not to do that, the fact that they kept it at $42 is an acceptable interim plan,” Mercer said. "We'll work with them until the third quarter to come up with something better."

Commissioners accepted Oliver's motion 3-2 with opposing votes from Commissioners Bobby Banks and Steve Gailey.

BELL WANTS TOUGHER ALCOHOL PENALTIES

Hall County's new county commissioner began his term as the new commission vice chairman, and by pledging to make the county's alcohol beverage code tougher.

Bell got approval to table action on an Atlanta Highway convenience store in his district, Meeks Food Mart, accused of selling alcohol to a minor for the second time.

"I'm working with the chairman in that department to re-write the entire alcohol ordinance. I should have it done by the end of the month, I hope,” Bell said.

Bell added he intends that re-write to bring stiffer penalties for repeat violators who sell alcohol to minors.

Commissioners approved a first offense 15-day suspension, 30-day probation and a $250 re-instatement fee for Marathon Food Mart on Thompson Bridge Road.
License holder Saleem Jiva admitted to the error and apologized, pledging to never let it happen again.