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DEL.ICIO.USThe water war you never heard about
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Not many people know that the three-state eruption of hostilities over water this fall was preceded by a smaller skirmish this summer.
Not between Georgia and Florida, or Georgia and Alabama. But between Gov. Sonny Perdue and the downstream city of Columbus.
In a July 6 letter, the governor informs Mayor Jim Wetherington that he’s picked up on some distrust within Columbus ranks over the state’s ability to do right by the city.
Columbus, you see, planned to file a separate lawsuit against the U.S. Corps of Engineers over the flow of water down the Chattahoochee River.
Wrote Perdue:
“The environmental permits needed by Columbus for water supply and wastewater discharge have been issued by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, and the flow in the Chattahoochee River has been sufficient to meet those needs…
“While I cannot divulge the content of confidential mediation discussions, I can assure you that Columbus’s needs weigh prominently in my mind and will be protected in any interstate agreement.”
It’s worth noting here that in correspondence, the governor addressed the mayor as William J. Wetherington. They do know each other. Perdue sacked Wetherington four years ago, when he ran the state prison system.
But to continue. In his July 10 reply to the governor’s assurances, Wetherington agreed to hold off on the city’s lawsuit until city and state officials could confab in Atlanta. They did. But apparently not to Columbus’ satisfaction.
On Aug. 1, Wetherington informed the governor that his city was moving forward with the suit.
The governor replied two days later:
“I remain in the view that Columbus’s entering the current litigation or commencing new litigation against the Corps at this time is not in the best interests of Columbus or the state….
“I am deeply disappointed that my personal efforts and those of my staff do not appear sufficient to dissuade you of the notion that separate litigation by Columbus against the Corps is warranted.”
The governor copied ever member of the Columbus delegation in the state Legislature.
Because it was a bastion of Democratic support and fund-raising in 2002, Columbus was given the cold shoulder by Perdue early in his tenure. Discretionary funding became so discrete that it nearly disappeared.
Only recently had relations shown signs thawing.
And now — global warming be damned — it looks like Columbus must endure another cold spell when the Legislature meets in January.
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Comments
By Richard
December 11, 2007 10:36 AM | Link to this
Wetherington’s name is still Jim, just as it was when he was corrections commissioner under Roy Barnes.
By Jim S.
December 11, 2007 1:13 PM | Link to this
You’re not implying that a person so far above partisan politics as Governor Sonny would hold a grudge against an entire Georgia city because of some little Democratic/Republican disagreement are you? Why that is like saying that Deacon Perdue had his personal attorney pass a last minute amendment to a bill in the legislature to keep his Highness from paying taxes on all that inherited money he invested in Florida real estate. Blasphemy! Remember, Sonny operates on the WWJD principle…and don’t you forget it!