Growing pains: Residents question Quitman County officials

By Patrick Johnston
Published: June 23, 2009

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There’s not a more forward-looking county in the Tri-State area than Quitman County, Ga.

In the midst of a national recession, county leaders are pressing ahead with a new high school and emergency medical service. They want a new marina and a nice hotel. These ambitious plans are coming from a consolidated government that was formed only three years ago between the City of Georgetown and Quitman County.

And we can’t forget that the county sheriff’s department is aggressively combating drug problems in the county.

There’s a lot of good news in the county. We credit good officials for working hard to improve the lives of Quitman County residents.

However, Quitman County is going through some growing pains. That’s been evidenced in the last few months at county commission meetings.

Georgetown resident Cheryl Butler recently addressed concerns about the sewer and water authority to commissioners. She found that four of the five members are serving even though their terms have expired. Some of the members were supposed to come off the board in 2004.

Commissioners have pledged to research the issue and appoint new water board members. A work session is planned for next Tuesday, May 30.

Read more of Patrick's editorial in the midweek edition of The Tribune avaliable Tuesday, June 23.