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June 18, 2009

Sparks could fly at RDC reorganization meeting

Diane Wagner, Rome News-Tribune

The 10-county Coosa Valley Regional Development Center is hoping to stave off a battle with the five counties to the east by sending a special invitation to a July 16 reorganization meeting in Calhoun.

The board met in executive session this morning with attorney Mike McRae to discuss possible responses if the North Georgia RDC boycotts the session.

The two RDCs have been directed to merge, effective July 1, as the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission.

Russell Britt, local government representative for Gov. Sonny Perdue, told the board the merger is part of an initiative to improve the way the state delivers assistance for infrastructure, economic development and aging services.

Perdue and the state Department of Community Affairs are continuing to urge a peaceful transition, Britt said, but he warned that failure will have consequences.

"At the end of the day, we're going to play with the people who want to play with us," he said. "We'll try our best to get them to come along, but if they don't, their funding will dry up."

The Coosa Valley RDC — Floyd, Polk, Gordon, Chattooga, Catoosa, Bartow, Walker, Dade, Paulding and Haralson counties — is prepared for the merger but, so far, officials in Gilmer, Murray, Pickens, Whitfield and Fannin counties are resisting the change.

The July 16 meeting is set for 11 a.m. at the Calhoun Depot, 109 S. King St.

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