Students get a look at basics of government

Monday's North Augusta City Council meeting had a youthful tone, as the setting for Youth Appreciation Day's finale, in keeping with a tradition established by the North Augusta Optimist Club, North Augusta High School and the municipal government.

This year's participants spent part of the day getting an up-close look at the basics of municipal operations and government. On board were seniors Zachary Zeaser, Emily Heath, Demarcus Rouse, Will Harris, Jackson Redd, Sarah Cohen, Kelly Cercy, Nancy Reyes, Ashley Crawford, Joshua McCormick, Toni Stevenson, Payton Shiver, Bradley Green and Macie Whatley.

The meeting, with students helping read through agenda items, included third and final-reading approval of alterations to the development plan for Hammond's Ferry. The vote went 5-1, with Arthur Shealy in opposition (and Ken McDowell absent, due to a business obligation).

Unanimous first-reading approval went to the proposed 2011 municipal budget - "a very status-quo budget," in the words of City Administrator Sam Bennett. Approval also went to a deed of dedication for utilities in the Mossy Oak subdivision, a new development near Edgewood Square, including acreage adjoining Pressley Avenue and Fairlane Drive. The vote went 5-0, with Mayor Lark Jones abstaining due to his involvement in the construction project.

The meeting also included accolades for James Harmon, who was recognized as the municipal government's top employee of the quarter (July through September). Harmon, a utility technician in the public utilities department, is on call around the clock every day, helping keep the sewage system working. He was described in his citation as having hard work, dedication and technical expertise among his contributions to the community.

A study session was held prior to the meeting, with a presentation by Medical College of Georgia representatives. Their focus was on the institution's enterprise-wide strategic planning initiative - "a 90-day process to produce a road map to guide and focus MCG efforts over the next three years," as stated in promotional material. Discussion touched on their hope to make North Augusta residents more aware of MCG's services and overall role in the CSRA.