Watkinsville Gives Up Seat On County Planning Commission

Watkinsville’s appointee to the Oconee County Planning Commission has informed the county that he will no longer be attending Planning Commission meetings after being told by former Mayor Dave Shearon that the city no longer wants a member on the Commission.

Shearon sent George Rodrigues, the city’s representative to the Planning Commission going back four mayors, a letter on Jan. 6 saying that the city has been handling its own zoning since 2008 and no longer benefits from representation on the county’s Planning Commission.

Shearon also said the financial cost of the appointment was factor in his decision. The city pays Rodrigues $75 per meeting, and the Planning Commission usually meets monthly.

Shearon sent his letter to Rodrigues after Mayor Bob Smith had arranged to be sworn in as mayor before Superior Court Judge Eric Norris on Jan. 1 but before City Attorney Joe Reitman Jr. had issued the Oath of Office to Smith before the Mayor and Council meeting on Jan. 8.

Mayor Smith is considering reversing Shearon’s decision, according to Watkinsville City Manager Sharyn E. Dickerson.

Rodrigues did not attend last week’s meeting of the Planning Commission.

For more on the story, please follow this link to Oconee County Observations.