Bear Creek Committee Meets

On Monday Jasper County’s 13-member Bear Creek Advisory Committee embarked on their charge to evaluate the contract that sparked local controversy less than two months ago.

The committee, appointed by the county commission last week, conducted their first meeting since the appointments. Those appointed include Jack Bernard, Fred Meyer, Robert Carter, Mary Patrick, Sharon Robinson, Wilma Parrott, Mary Ann Hyde, Billy Nalls, Steve Jordan, Rusty Bullard, Ray Gardner, Ken McMichael, and Wes Chester. Mr. Meyer was selected as chairman.

Committee members debated amongst themselves on various ‘questionable’ details in the contract before they settled on trying to identify the legalities outlined or not outlined in the contract.
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Mary Patrick and Rusty Bullard said that they had come in contact with lawyers willing to review the contract and seek out the best legal position for Jasper County. The committee agreed to have both legal counsels review the contract and provide their professional opinions.

Aware that legal counsel doesn’t usually come free, the committee also decided to a request a budget of $5,000 from the commission during the January 20 meeting.

Establishing two subcommittees,legal and funding, were discussed but members agreed that without an in-depth legal opinion on the contract first any other efforts could be in vain. A legal subcommittee was named including Mesdames Patrick and Robinson and Messieurs Bullard and Jordan.

Although legal concerns for the contract took center stage some consideration to the environmental impacts of the project were also discussed. A report from retired professional engineer Allan Platt suggested the county also think about ground water alternatives to the reservoir.

Some back and forth dialogue regarding the reservoir’s ownership, water distribution, and possible land condemnation ensued among committee members and the chairman of the Jasper County Water & Sewer Authority Roger Bell, who was in attendance.

While speculation about Newton County’s ability to complete the reservoir project without the cooperation of Jasper County circulated, committee members noted that comprehensively evaluating the contract could work in favor of Jasper taxpayers.

“We’re in a position to drive a better bargain,” said Mr. Meyer.
“We haven’t driven any bargain yet,” replied Mrs. Patrick.

Mr. Bullard, who admitted that he had sold land to Newton County in relation to the reservoir, said he thought Newton County’s objective was to sell water to Atlanta as a revenue making machine—an objective that could benefit Jasper as well if managed correctly.

With inuendo about the motives of Newton County attorney Tommy Craig circulating, Mr. Jordan said that the attorney was simply doing his job as a representative of Newton County.

“I know him. I’ve known him for 25 years and I’ve worked with him on the 4-county industrial park,” said Mr. Jordan of Mr. Craig.

Before adjournment, the legal committtee agreed to submit a report to the chairman before his presentation at the next county commission meeting.