During his campaign, new Sweetwater Mayor Doyle Lowe said he wanted to have periodic town hall meetings so people could talk about their concerns. He delivered on that promise with the first meeting held Monday night following the regular city meeting.

Lowe opened the meeting with praise for the commissioners and department heads.
"They are to be commended for the way they are treating this budget," he said.
The mayor said while these are tough economic times, Sweetwater is faring better than other cities that have cut services, increased fees and laid off people.
"We're doing pretty good right now," he said.

Lowe gave updates on several issues that came up during the election, including garbage pickup, insurance for city employees and economic development.
The mayor said a feasibility study had been conducted about the garbage pickup, and at this time there are no other options that would cost the city less money.
If the city started doing its own garbage pickup, it would require two larger trucks than what the city currently has and three more employees. There would be additional costs for the maintenance of the trucks.

During the election, it was suggested that some employees could be moved from one department to another on an as-needed basis, however, with garbage pickup the liability insurance cost is so great, it would not be cost effective to do that.
"We have not been able to come up with anything comparable," Lowe said.
He noted the Economic Development Board is conducting a second study on the garbage pickup.
City Recorder Jessica Morgan added even if the city did pick up the garbage, it would have to pay approximately $100,000 to dispose of it since there is not a landfill.
"There is not a city in the state who has gotten out of the garbage business and got back into it," she said.

Lowe said he is still considering a fee for debris and demolition pickup.
"Sooner or later the issue of residential garbage pickup will have to be addressed," he said. "It's a problem. It will be brought up again."
The update on finding a better deal for employee insurance was the same. Lowe said they had conducted a workshop to review the insurance for employees, but at this time there wasn't anything better to offer.

Economic Development
Lowe said the Economic Development Committee is doing a good job. A sub-committee has been appointed to develop proposals for both interstate exits. Lowe said the committee will work with the utility board manager, the City Commission and the Planning Commission.
He said one of the top priorities is a visitors center.
"I want to be able to help the downtown merchants," he said. "Tourists are vital to Monroe County and Sweetwater."

The mayor is continuing to work toward getting a community access channel that can be used to inform residents and promote local tourist attractions.
"We will be able to do things people can only dream about," he said. "That's going to be a big, big asset."

Also, in an effort to keep citizens informed, he is working to have an alarm system installed that would signal dangerous weather or other emergencies in the city.

Citizen concerns
When opening the floor for citizen comments, Cherye Elliott brought up the need for a sidewalk to the Sock Shop.
Lowe said the city would need an easement for the sidewalk, which Elliot said she would provide. The mayor said there is grant money available for sidewalk construction and he would see what they could do about extending the sidewalk.

Elliott also commended commissioner Buster West for the work he has accomplished as street commissioner.
"He has been true to his word."
Lowe said they recently learned of money the city can get from the state for maintaining state right of ways and that West was working with the State Department of Transportation to ensure the city receives its share.

Nomon Kennedy, who ran for a seat on the commission, suggested the mayor form a committee of volunteers who will provide needed work for the city without any extra expense. He quoted President John F. Kennedy's call for action: "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."
"I feel the same say about our local government," he said.

The mayor said he is considering forming a citizens action group made up of unbiased volunteers who would survey neighborhoods about what the needs are and then help correct those needs.
Other topics of discussion include work on the city's parks and upkeep of Westview Cemetery (which does not belong to the city).
The mayor plans to hold similar town hall meetings each quarter.

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