Council sworn in
By JACQUIE BRASHER

At its first meeting of 2008, three Swainsboro city council members were given the oath of office by Middle Judicial Circuit Judge Kathy Palmer. Being sworn in were Cleve Edenfield, Sandra Stroud and John E. Parker.

Councilmember Parker nominated Edenfield for new Mayor Pro-Tem for the year. Councilmember Rita Faulkner nominated herself. Voting for Edenfield were himself, Parker, Stroud and Johnny Ray Stafford. Voting for Faulkner was herself. Councilmember Bobbie Collins abstained on both nominations. Edenfield was named new Mayor Pro Tem.

Mayor Charles Schwabe introduced Anthony Faris to the council. Faris was recently hired as the new director of Downtown Development. He told council he would help existing businesses in town, work to bring in more businesses and also create a "selling point" for downtown in hopes of attracting more community participation as well as guests from outside the area.

Councilmember Johnny Ray Stafford informed council of the $282,000 grant that Swainsboro Police Department received. Mayor Schwabe asked Administrator Al Lawson to draft a letter of thanks to Congressman John Barrow for his assistance in obtaining the grant.

Police Chief Johnny Shuman updated council on the officer shortage at the department. Mayor Schwabe asked council to consider hiring an investigator from outside Swainsboro Police Department if one could not be found in-house. Calls to the department have increased 30 percent in the last year and more help is needed.

Roofing problems at city hall were brought to the attention of council by Mayor Schwabe. Repairs will have to be conducted soon. He also asked council to evaluate their positions on their committees and to report to him if they would like to remain in their existing positions or move to another committee. Councilmember Rita Faulkner suggested that each department head be given a job description of their duties and what is expected of them.

In other business, council reviewed the first reading of an ordinance to amend to the hotel/motel excise tax ordinance to include specific language that describes how the funds are utilized. Apublic hearing will be held in March.

Council also heard the first reading of an ordinance to regulate businesses operating wreckers and wrecker services for nonemergency calls within the city. These calls include towing away abandoned vehicles or vehicles whose drivers have been arrested. A public hearing will be held in March.

Council approved Edenfield's request to spend not more than $19,000 on a bypass line for pump station #11.

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