Mayor Gravitt's Water Threat Deadline Nears, Issue May Head to Court

Cumming Mayor Ford Gravitt's threat to shut off the county's raw water supply by Oct. 1, absent a signed water contract, hung like a dark cloud over Thursday night's Forsyth County Board of Commissioners meeting.

Commissioners have received a letter from the , formalizing the mayor's threat.

Several citizens lined up to speak during the Public Forum, including former Commissioner Julian Bowen.

"There’s almost no way that the board and city council can come together on this," said Bowen. "Really, the best thing is to go before a superior court judge."

Bowen also expressed concern that sending only treated water from the city’s plant -- with no untreated water to the county plant -- could increase the pressure to the point that public safety could be impacted.

Forsyth County Tea Party Chairman Hal Schneider urged commissioners to seek an injunction to stop the delivery of raw water.

"We have a crisis on our hands on the first of Oct.," Schneider said.

Commissioners didn't broach the subject publicly, but went into executive session, as they are allowed to do when discussing legal matters. To seek an injunction County Attorney Ken Jarrard would have to have a majority vote from the board that is now deadlocked with Chairman Jim Boff and Commissioner Todd Levent appearing to favor it and Commissioners Patrick Bell and Brian Tam favoring a negotiated settlement. Commissioner Pete Amos has recused himself due to a potential conflict of interest.

On Friday, Bell said, "We need to sit down and resolve this and not let it escalate into these kinds of threats. I've said it before, when you start beating your chest and not thinking about the citizens you lose objectivity and things get more difficult. Going to court is not what's best for our citizens. It's not best for anybody."

Bell said he would support seeking an injunction only if the water cutoff becomes a safety issue.

"If it becomes a fire safety issue, we may have to," he said.

But he was quick to point out, "I don't believe the mayor will follow through on his threat if it puts citizens' safety at risk. He won't do that. He has family and friends who live in the county and 82 percent of his customers live in the county. I don't believe he would do it if it endangers our citizens."

Bell also said he plans to keep the lines of communication open to the city and that he will likely be talking to the mayor about the water contract in the coming days.

Do you think Mayor Gravitt will follow through on his threat or do you think this issue will head to court? Tell us in comments.

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