AMERICUS — The Sumter County Board of Commissioners is meeting at 1 p.m. today to discuss the consolidation of Americus and Sumter County. This meeting is open to the public and the public is highly encouraged to attend to allow all opinions on the issue to be voiced. More information will be posted as it is known. Below is a letter to the editor from Larry Odom attempting to rally support for the consolidation:



To the Citizens of Sumter County:

Your taxes are fixing to jump! In reference to the article in the Times Recorder on March 10, 2010 yes the economy is bad and if we don’t consolidate it will only get worse. Sumter County has a severe shortfall and this will be passed on to you the tax payer. It is evident we need to consolidate versus duplicating departments and jobs for example we now have 2 Administrators, 2 Clerks, 2 Finance Directors, 2 Human Resources Persons, 2 Code Enforcement Department Managers and 2 Secretaries, 2 Public Works Directors and 2 Secretaries, 2 Law Enforcement Chiefs and 2 Secretaries, 2 Dog Catchers with 2 trucks and in the near future we will have 2 Fire Chiefs and 2 Secretaries. Consolidation would not cause a loss of current jobs but as these persons retire we could simply not replace them. Consolidating would result in a unified government and for economic reasons this is already being done throughout the state of Georgia. Our neighboring counties such as Webster County have done this and Schley County is undergoing this process now. What are we waiting for the fact that we are paying 2 salaries and benefits etc versus 1 should speak for itself. I know we have two very well educated and knowledgeable men Mr. Brent Williams and Mr. Rick Davis who are business men. This is not to say there are not others. However having the best leadership in Sumter County does not benefit us unless we utilize their knowledge of business and bookkeeping and look at the figures. If we do this it is there in black and white that we must consolidate. If you can’t support consolidation based on the numbers then it’s time to take a vote and decide who needs to be replaced in order to get the job done. Please attend Thursday’s meeting at 1:00 pm at the Sumter County Courthouse Commissioners Meeting Room. A large number of citizens as well as media will be there. Now is the time to be informed and have a voice in your community. Do not wait until the millage rates have been set that will be too late, come to this meeting Thursday at 1:00pm and have a voice.



Thank You,

Larry Odom