A goal is an observable and measurable end result having one or more objectives to be achieved within a more-or-less fixed timeframe. There is no sense in developing goals if there is not a concerted effort to accomplish those goals within a set time. Midway rarely completes goal objectives, and those that are finally reached consistently miss the target date.
Mayor Dr. Clemontine Washington presented six goals for the city of Midway in 2014. The one that is most curious is, “Promote tourism of Cay Creek through increased marketing strategies.”
What marketing strategies does she have that need to be increased? Has the mayor forgotten the Midway Museum and cemetery? Their contained history is more important than visiting a swamp.
She also wants to conduct a survey of areas that might be considered for annexation. This is something I proposed last year. Maybe she listened for a change. This actually was in her 2005 election platform but never was accomplished.
The mayor wants to select a site on which to build a new city hall. Gwendolyn Lowe, Midway’s budget officer and director of finance, conducted comprehensive research for building a new city hall and presented it to the council in March 2010. She identified funding resources, interest rates, costs and affordability. Lowe even identified a builder for the lowest price per square foot. Washington blew it off. The project was part of a Georgia Municipal Association program.
The mayor also wants to complete and submit all amended documents to Municode by July 2014. Back in 2010, one of her goals was to “review and revise all city documents.” It took from 2010 to 2013 just to make some small revisions to the city charter. Terry Doyle and Melice Gerace were the only members of the council to give the city attorney suggested revisions to the charter. They asked for city documents, ordinances and regulations, but the city clerk was unable to supply them. It would be nice to know what laws exist in the city.
The biggie here is the goal of resolving the water dispute with Liberty County. On Nov. 9, 2009, the city council voted to proceed with mediation to decide the issue. In May 2012, the council once again agreed to mediation, but the city couldn’t find the original agreements with the county. This issue has been before the city council many times, and here we are, five years later, with no action taken.
At one time, the city claimed that the county owed $2,543,476.50 for water services, but the county claimed it owed only $52,857.70. It appears there is an issue with the contract or the accounting. It’s time for the city to stop wasting time and let a mediator finalize the issue.
Finally, the mayor said the city should develop programs for the youth and seniors. It’s nice that the mayor made this a goal, considering that, in November, the county opened the Liberty County Community Complex, which has a meeting room, recreational programming, a pool and a playground. Exactly what does the mayor have in mind that the county is not already providing?
I guess everything was perfect in the city in 2012 and 2013 since no goals were set, even though city lights needed for safety — a 2010 goal — were not installed until 2013. That’s right, 2013 was an election year.
The list of incomplete goals goes on and on. Wouldn’t it be better to just take care of the city’s problems expediently, rather than letting them fester like a sore?

Calderone is a conservative who lives in Midway and has written for trade publications in various fields.