Last call for water meeting tomorrow night from Charles Baugh

Citizens for Oconee's Future, Inc.
P. O. Box 1301
Watkinsville, GA 30677

This is a reminder that the BOC will probably vote on the water reservoir at tomorrow nights meeting. It is the first item on the agenda. I know many of you have called, written and emailed the Board on this issue. Many also attended the 2 meetings at which the issue was discussed. Please do it one more time. The Commissioners should be looking at a full house when they vote. I have sent a great deal of information on the issue and the alternatives so I won't recount those now. I am including the text of a letter that was printed in the Banner Herald on the 26th written by Jerry Studdard that summarizes the issues quite nicely.

Please turn out one more time.

Charles Baugh

The Athens Banner-Herald

http://onlineathens.com/stories/022607/letters_20070226002.shtml

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February 26, 2007 LETTERS

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Jerry Studdard: Major questions linger on Oconee water issue

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Armed with the assumption that tremendous population growth in Oconee County cannot be avoided, and based on a belief by some that the Orkin tract at Georgia Highway 316 and U.S. Highway 78 will bring Oconee County its own industrial revolution, the Oconee County Commission is hell-bent on joining Walton County and building a very expensive reservoir on Hard Labor Creek. If the commission proceeds in this direction, it will do so even though credible evidence points to other options far less costly and more in the best interests of the citizens of Oconee County.

The more prudent course of action would be to continue to review and seek other options. There is no rush.

Meanwhile, the answers to the following questions might be of interest to all concerned with this issue: Why own a sliver of the pie when you can have the whole pie for the same cost? Can Walton obtain a permit and the financing without Oconee as a partner? Why have so many others pulled out of the Walton County reservoir? If Walton County as the majority owner can sell water to other municipalities, would it not be more feasible for Oconee to be just a purchaser of water? Will Walton County be the one issuing all the contracts relative to the building of the reservoir, thus reducing Oconee's ability to have some control on the cost of the project?

Jerry Studdard

Watkinsville

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