Some facts about the GA DCA Arbitration panelists

Here is some information about the Department of Community Affairs Arbitration panelists.

The panelists are volunteers who must qualify for the Panel; currently elected or elected within past 6 years plus an academic.
There is a pool of 30 trained volunteers statewide to sit on an arbitration panel for the entire 159 counties.  A panel consists of 5 total. Panelists cannot come from the county or municipality involved in the dispute. That is disqualifying.  There was difficulty in finding panelists available due to the holidays.  Most annexations are filed during the summer and Christmas holidays for precisely this reason.
A recent arbitration in Hart County  just failed for the same reason.
City of Hartwell.

Moving forward, we need to continue as we have done with some success. Stress the need to slow the process down and perfect the site plan and ask for more greenspace.  We continue to ask people to attend the January 11 hearing unless it is still tabled, and to sign the petition.  

Let's be diligent and constructive.

Carol Brown