|
Columbus still a lab for consolidation (2.22.10)
Forty years after the successful merger of our city and county governments, the Columbus Consolidated Government continues to be a laboratory for other communities that are studying the merits of consolidation.
Mayor Ron Littlefield of Chattanooga was here last week and he went home to the Tennessee Valley with a growing dream of consolidating his city with the government of Hamilton County.
Littlefield's visit followed closely a trip to Columbus by Mayor David Pennington of Dalton, Ga. He too left with hopes of merger in Dalton and Whitfield County, according to the Chattanooga TimesFree Press.
While here, Littlefield talked with current city leaders along with leaders who helped pass consolidation in Columbus and Muscogee County in 1971 after several failed votes.
"They looked me square in the eye and said they wouldn't go back to the way it," Littlefield told a Friday luncheon held by the Southeast Tennessee Political Action Committee.
THE NUMBERS GAME
* 332,848: Hamilton County population
* 170,880: Chattanooga population
* 186,984: Population of Muscogee County, Ga., including Columbus
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
The interest of cities such as Chattanooga and Dalton reminds us of the historic significance of the consolidation of first our school systems and then our governments. It should also remind us that the periodic reformation of the Charter Commission draws closer.
Mayor Jim Wetherington and Columbus Council will appoint this mandated committee and the makeup of this panel should not be taken lightly. Instead of rehashing old subjects and spending too much time on self-congratulation, this committee has a chance to draw new maps for the future of how our government operates.
The Chattanooga mayor talked about his city's future, and Littlefield's words apply to Columbus: "Where we will be Dec. 31, 2019 will largely be determined by what we do today."
And the actions of the Charter Commission will determine what Columbus is.
|