Ivie Leads First Meeting As Mayor of Watkinsville

The first meeting of the New Year was a brief one for Watkinsville City Council.

For the first time Wednesday, Charles Ivie led as the new mayor.  In his monthly report, Ivie announced the city and Georgia Municipal Association are co-sponsoring an essay contest this spring for students of and . 

The title of the essay-- limited to 350 words-- will be "If I Were Mayor." A group of students may have a chance to spend a day with city clerk Julie Sanders to witness firsthand how the city operates, Ivie said, adding that feedback from teachers has been positive. Twelve district winners will be awarded $250 savings bonds.

Ivie also discussed the upcoming , an outreach project designed to bring economic development officials and prospective investors to the area.  The tour is slated for May 3-4.

"Knowing that that's going to take place, the City's going to make every effort to clean up, polish up, pretty up, and look good for our visitors.  We need to let folks know what we have to offer, and this is going to be a golden opportunity to do so."

He encouraged all employees and residents to do their part.

"Please let's all put our shoulder to the wheel and push this thing forward because it can only be helpful to all of us," Ivie said.

In other business, council

• Approved business licenses for The Waller Agency, Inc., located at 54 Nancy Drive, and Main Street Tax & Accounting, LLC, located at 11 School Street.
• Learned the Watkinsville police department answered 2,166 calls for service and issued 986 citations in 2011. Police responded to a total of 74 car accidents within the city limits and assisted the Oconee County Sheriff's Office 56 times last year. 
• Continued discussions about updating the Business License Ordinance.  The city is considering setting a gross weight limit of 15,000 pounds on trucks and banning construction equipment from home-based businesses. More research will be done and the issues will be discussed next month.
• Heard from councilwoman Samantha Purcell who said the City will again participate in a tree whip giveaway the week of Feb. 13-17 in celebration of Georgia's Arbor Day.