Blue Ridge City Council Approves More Spending and Appoints Planning Commission

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Blue Ridge City Council held its regular meeting on December 1st, 2015.  The meeting was called to order and some old business tabled again such as East Main Street so the Mayor and Council could revisit and check progress.  The items the council did move on, license plate scanners and appointing a person for the planning commission, have brought much interest from the community and FetchYourNews.com has received numerous phone calls and messages.

The license plate scanner was voted on and approved with Council member Rhonda Thomas requesting a roll call vote.  Council Member Rodney Kendall made the motion to purchase the $21,000 plus item for the Blue Ridge Georgia Chief of Police Johnny Scearce.  Bruce Pack made a 2nd to the motion and it was carried with yes votes from Harold Herndon, Angie Arp, Bruce Pack, and Rodney Kendall.  Thomas voted no and met with us following the meeting today to voice her concerns. (See Video Below)

FYN asked Angie Arp and Bruce Pack how the license plate scanners could be used as a tool for public safety, Pack walked away with no response and Arp stated it would help reveal drivers without insurance.  When we asked Arp why it was a good idea for Blue Ridge after surrounding Sheriffs including Sheriff Kirby, and surrounding Chiefs of Police (FYN asked Jasper, City of Ellijay, and City of East Ellijay) refuse to use the license plate scanners and research on our end shows a real invasion of privacy, Arp suggested I ask Chief Scearce directly.  From a prior meeting Scearce noted the increase in revenue during the test period the license plate scanner was used.  Thomas noted though several drivers indicated to have no insurance proved to be false, however the device still retains the information of the drivers.  See original story link: License Plate Scanners – Are You Being Tracked

The next item on the agenda appointed Donna Carver Gay as a replacement for Lee Bennett on the Planning Commission.  Cindy Trimble was the other candidate and this decision was made by a roll call vote as well.  Herndon and Thomas voted for Trimble, while Arp, Pack, and Kendall voted for Gay.  FYN asked Council Members what did they view as critical in choosing the most qualified candidate to fill the position.  Arp said there were no specific qualifications it was just a matter of who the council wanted for the job.  Herndon and Thomas voted for Cindy Trimble explaining her vast qualifications and experience and Thomas explained in the video below she felt it should have been a conflict for Arp stating that Gay is the sister of Arp’s longtime (employee, partner, or roommate) Greg Griggs.  (See Video Below)  FYN plans to submit open records request so as to review the applications and compare what candidates offered up in education and experience.

 

https://youtu.be/jxugu41P48A

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