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Despite the economic downturn being felt across the country, Barrow County leaders had optimistic attitudes and positive reports at the Chamber of Commerce’s State of the Cities meeting Tuesday, Feb. 10.
The Chamber luncheon was used by representatives from Barrow’s cities as a way to update the county on how each city is doing.
Auburn’s mayor, Linda Blechinger, kicked off the program.
According to Blechinger, the city set goals and accomplishments to meet in 2008, and "we met every goal."
Every one of the city’s departments set goals at the beginning of the year, she said.
"I asked them to come up with goals," Blechinger said. "Not only did they meet them, but they also surpassed them."
One project the city continues to work on is the Great Rail Trail, a 23-mile corridor that will go through multiple cities and two counties that will lead to beautification and renewed use of railroad tracks.
Auburn also became a certified city of ethics in 2008.
The Auburn Police Department received Blechinger’s praise.
"One of the great things our police department did was start our two youth programs," she said, citing the Explorers and the Police Athletic League.
Auburn Police Department’s Corporal Jason Lynch was recognized for outstanding work by Blechinger.
Additionally, Auburn created a neighborhood watch and business watch.
The city also has worked on its parks and festivals.
The Easter Egg Hunt and July 4 Car Show were among some of the events Blechinger mentioned.
Also, the Auburn children’s playground was opened and dedicated in 2008, and the mayor said she has already seen children using the equipment with the onset of recent warm weather.
Blechinger praised the Public Works department for saving the city money by reading water meters and using prison crew labor to work on different projects around the city.
The city’s plan to encourage development is underway, Blechinger noted, showing renderings of different developments that are underway for the city, including the Auburn Station concept plan.
The Auburn Station will be a multiuse development with both businesses and residential space.
"The project is a go," Blechinger said. "It’s happening."
Blechinger also said the city should have sewer working downtown by the end of 2009.
Finally, she reported on the financial state of the city.
"I am very happy to say that our city finished the year in the black," she said. "The city of Auburn is doing excellent, very well, and is moving forward on projects."
Mayor David Brock spoke for the city of Carl.
Brock said the city had had to "shape and trim" its budget.
The city has been focusing on infrastructure, he said, and had adopted the county’s unified development code in 2008.
Carl has used SPLOST revenues to make improvements to many roads in the city and plans to use other funds to work on its parks facilities.
The city also is working on bringing sewerservice to Carl, as well as applying for several grants that would encourage jobs and the economy.
Additionally, Carl is working on the Great Rail Trail, which will bring "progress, mobility and beautification for Barrow County," Brock said.
Carl would like to form a development authority, he said, and a committee to work on city events like Movie Under the Stars.
The plan for the city, Brock said, is to "keep momentum ... and focus on improvements."
The city of Statham was represented by city council member Gayle Steed.
The city is currently meeting with local builders and banks in an effort to stimulate the economy, she said.
Statham also has applied for several grants, including ones to upgrade the water plants, expand sewer, and add a turn lane at the intersection of Hwy. 8 and Dooley Town Road.
The city had planned on showing a video, but audio difficulties made it impossible.
The last to speak was Winder Mayor Chip Thompson, who spoke about recent difficulties the city has had to endure.
Thompson said that 69 percent of cities nationwide were reporting layoffs and hiring freezes, and that making these decisions was very hard.
However, "the vision of the city of Winder is very much alive," he said.
Winder became a certified City of Ethics, he said.
He also praised the Downtown Development Authority and said that the new landfill gas pipeline is now working.
Thompson said he was "very excited about the possibilities."
The city’s Public Works is managing to keep up and improve the image of Winder, he said.
The Winder Police Department is also doing a good job.
"The Public Safety department continues to maintain high levels of protection to its citizens," Thompson said.
Thompson said that many projects were on hold until the economy turns around, however he did note that the city has asked for $19,525,000 for shovel ready projects.
Thompson said the requests had been submitted to the state and its representatives.
Projects included in that budget include water and sewer, public works and community service areas.
Included in water and sewer projects are a city pond dredging ($2.5 million), elevated water storage ($2 million), ground water storage ($1.5 million), an Embassy Walk sewer main ($2 million), replacing the Meadowbrook sewer main ($2 .million), a Midland to Park water main upgrade ($2 million) and Fort Yargo water main service ($500,000).
In public works projects, the city would like to create a Horton Street corridor ($3.5 million), a Georgia Avenue corridor ($2 million) and make Athens and Center Streets improvements ($1.5 million).
The city also is requesting $25,000 for computers for the public library.
Bethlehem and Braselton representatives were unable to attend the event.
