Boothe quits council
BY SUZANNE LOUDAMY Staff writer

Among the items considered on the Troup City Council agenda this week was the resignation of councilmember Nancy Boothe. In her letter of resignation to Mayor Whitsell Boothe said she had enjoyed serving the citizens of Troup for her many years on the council, but it was time for a lifestyle change and that included leaving her seat on the council.

Boothe has also recently moved out of the city and she said while she could legally remain at her council post, this was just the right time to leave and devote her attention to family.

With that resignation, the unexpired term of council position three became vacant and rather than appoint someone to fill the position for just a month or two, the council chose to add it to the list of positions that will be voted on during the May election. That municipal election was called during this meeting and will be held in conjunction with the May 10 general election, along with the TISD school trustee election.

Positions open for election on the council are position two currently held by Barbara Barton, position five currently held by Carole Wilson, mayor currently held by John Whitsell and the unexpired term of position three.

The council also approved an interlocal agreement between the city, TISD and Smith County for Smith County to conduct the joint election. The Cameron-J. Jarvis Troup Municipal Library was approved as the location of early voting as well as Election Day voting.

Council approved the reappointment of Gene Cottle, Bonnie Hinkle and Ronny Melton to the Board of Directors of the Troup Community Development Corporation.

A request made for ordinance variances for the purpose of placing a manufactured home on the property at 202 Tarbutton was again addressed by the council. This item had been on a previous agenda and Ms. Malora Lacy, who is making the request, did not have the required survey and proof of ownership at that time. She has since had a warranty deed filed and the property surveyed. The council approved her request upon presentation of those documents to the City Administrator.

The council took no action on a petition of Oncor Electric Delivery Company to modify lighting service tariff pursuant to the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The modification would go into effect March 1 whether council took action or not. The change basically involves the type of lights Oncor will use as street lights go out and have to be replaced.

The council also revisited the issue of the placement of a manufactured home on the property in the 800 block of SH 135. The consideration was not approved because the replatting has not been completed. The council directed the city administrator to convey what items were still needed from the party and they would reconsider when those were done.

Approval was given to rescind an action taken relating to item 10 of the Nov. 11, 2007 agenda. That item concerned voluntary annexation of what was currently proposed as Unit 1 and Unit 2 of the Joey Subdivision. Due to problems with the property owner and developer those areas are not all going to be developed, at this point, as planned. A new petition for voluntary annexation of Lot 1A and Lot 2A was submitted in its place for consideration. The council approved that action. The homes on those two lots are already connected to the city water but not to sewer. They have their own aeration system for waste water.

Council gave its stamp of approval to the draft of an ordinance requiring the systematic and legible numbering of business establishments, residences and public buildings.

"We have a vague reference in our subdivision ordinance already," City Administrator Russ Obar said. "But it is not clear. This new wording is pretty clear without being cumbersome."

The final action item of the evening was a discussion of going forward in planning for the zoning of the city. The council agreed that they really wanted citizen input as this matter moved along. The first step taken will be to have a proposed zoning map available for public viewing at the upcoming Troup Chamber of Commerce banquet on Thursday, Feb. 28 at 6 p.m. at the Troup High School cafeteria.

The next step will be to hold a public forum to "feel the pulse" of the community and get their input. The details of this event will be publicized as soon as they are made available. Following that meeting the council will hold a workshop to act on the community ideas.

Before the council can vote to approve any such zoning ordinance, there must be a public hearing. That too is on the council's timeline for this bold progressive move for the city.

Closing comments made by the council included words of praise for the police department and Chief Hendrix by Barbara Barton. She said she was so pleased to see the story in the Tri County Leader about the drug testing kits the PD has available for parents and for the many good things they are doing in Troup that seem to go unnoticed. She wanted them to know, they are not unnoticed.

Councilman Hale said he still had a concern about the lack of an animal control officer. Obar and Whitsell both said that was still an area that needed attention and that was certainly still in the works to possibly be worked out with the county.