After months of waiting, the City of Nicholson now has a municipal court.
The city council voted unanimously Monday night to approve an ordinance allowing for a judge, clerk and associated personnel needed to operate the court. The court is to adjudicate the enforcement of ordinances in the city.
The city also has made a change to its code enforcement officer’s position. The council had hired Dan Crumley to fill the position back in April.
But Nicholson mayor Ronnie Maxwell said Monday night that an agreement couldn’t be reached in making the position full or part time, so Crumley resigned.
“It was amiable,” Maxwell said Monday night. “He had a different vision for the position than we had.”
Maxwell said Ivan Spindola, who has worked as an officer for Gainesville and Hall County, has been hired to take the part time position. Spindola will work with the city building inspector in enforcing the city’s codes.
Maxwell said he hopes the position will be operating by September.
Also on Monday night, Maxwell announced that he and city attorney Rob Russell would be looking into the legal requirements for zoning and that he expects to start basic discussions regarding zoning in the next few months.
“I am not asking for complicated and confusing zoning,” Maxwell said. “Just some basic zoning we can all agree upon so we can enforce our ordinances in a fair and impartial manner.”
YOU know better so do better...........
Along those same lines, do we wish to have an elected official who is incapable of changing their stance on a topic even if the situation or their knowledge of the situation has changed, just because he or she expressed a strong opinon about it in the past? Should they change their minds if, later, something is different, or should they always remain fixed to a previous stand because that's what they promised at that time? Most likely, if you asked this question you would get different answers from different people at different times, depending on the point of view they held at that time. One thing is for sure, things are changing in Jackson County. For better or for worse remains to be seen. We must ask ourselves what is the right course and then try to steer that course. I hope we are collectively wise enough to calmly face the future with the right answers and can find a way to reach common ground for everyone involved. If we fail to be reasonable, if we fail to "do the right thing", if we allow pettiness and bickering to detract us, I fear the future will not be the one we would hope for.
On a different note, as a long time citizen of Jackson County, I am confused with what is going on with in Nicholson? I am very concerned with the intentions of those that are going to be enforcing the city's codes. I noticed that the paper failed to report (not necessarily intentionally, put possible lack of knowledge) that Ivan Spindola's, the person replacing Dan Crumley, most recent job history includes the Pendergrass Police Department as was Dan Crumley's most recent employer. The both of them were under Chief Rob Russell, who is also the Nicholson City Attorney.
I would like to know what the real reason was behind Crumley resigning and the position going to Spindola. Also, is it not a conflict of interest for a present Chief of Police that also works out of Scott Tolbert's law firm (Tolbert is the Judge in Pendergrass...and his father is the mayor of Pendergrass) to be a city attorney who is going to be "looking into the legal requirements for zoning" when his primary interest right now is Real Estate...as was Crumley's? (Crumley is also a real estate agent for S.E. Beverly). It just seems that there are entirely too many circumstances surrounding the City of Nicholson that will create long lasting impressions/changes that may or may not be wanted by the citizens.
I do feel that elected officials have the right to change their views, but is "anti-zoning" being changed to "un-complicated and un-confusing zoning" because that's what the Mayor really feels is best for Nicholson, or because that's what the "Code Enforcement and City Attorney of Nicholson are pushing to happen?
I think everyone is tiring of government and the attitude of "I was elected so I am right". Whether it is zoning, taxes, animal control or any other government function, those elected should stick to their election promises. If they change their minds on an issue, it should wait until it's time for their re-election before acting. Perhaps, let the people vote on major issues. Why is it that people can vote on a penny sales tax but aren't allowed to vote on zoning or other issues that have more control over day-to-day lives? My guess...the people in office wrote it that way.
Here's hoping we see some new, intelligent blood in all of over elected offices soon.
Congrats Tim Venable for being the only one on this page with enough back bone to use your name and for along with your wife Lynetta attending the Nicholson council meeting and knowing what is going on. Truth be as you are aware Nicholson is being penalized for not having zoning. Any registered voter and a citizen can run for Mayor, but if any unnamed critics thinks that the only thing to being Mayor is to keep their unnamed self happy shows where their head is really stuck.
Look at whats going on in Nicholson now and look where we've come while Ronnie has been Mayor. I know while most are asleep he's still on the job for Nicholsoon. How good is it that we have a Mayor everyone knows by his first name, with his phone numbers published and one that will drop whatever he's doing to help someone else.
A grocery store isn't willing to locate here for fear a chicken house or hog parlor etc. might be built beside it, also a pharmacy, dollar General, bank etc.
Who would have thought 8 years ago when he was elected that today we would have a City Park an Ampitheater, a playground a new city hall, a civic center how many years have we enjoyed the fireworks, Easter Services and other events.
As far as being influneced by others that doesn't happen.
If I seem prejudiced it's because I know what he does and what he goes thru he has a tough job that only is made worthwhile by his love of his town and communit;y. Being critiqued by someone that won't use a name is not an honorable way to conduct themselves.
Talk to him get the info you need get a name then critize. Gail Maxwell wife of Mayor Ronnie Maxwell
Don't waste your time trying to get these frontier rednecks to understand why every growing community must have zoning. They will have to be DRAGGED into modern times.
And if Timothy was the current mayor, they would be bad-mouthing him also.
Maxwell and Russell have been around enough to be able to see ahead, and they want to do this in the best interests of Nicholson, and you.
Also, for those who wonder, Dan didn't leave Pendergrass by his own choice.