Ordinances to Come in Ellijay’s New Year

In their rescheduled regular meeting last night, the Ellijay City Council brought up several changes to their city ordinances.

First presenting and approving the monthly Financials, The council also delivered a first reading for five ordinances that are set to be adopted after next month’s second reading. They are:

Giving False Name and/or Date of Birth to a Law Enforcement Officer

Obstruction, Resisting Police Officers and/or Firefighters Ordinance

Disorderly Conduct Ordinance

Occupying a Vehicle while Intoxicated Ordinance

Public Intoxication Ordinance

When questioned, Police Chief Edward Lacey stated most of these ordinances are already state laws, but the city could adopt them, and then the issues would be handled in the local Municipal Court rather than a state Superior Court. The Disorderly Conduct Ordinance is already a city ordinance, though the county is looking at a cleaner, more specific version for this adoption.

They also are moving forward after Lynelle Stewart put another crosswalk discussion on the agenda. Suggestions were offered for a location being either close to the boardwalk or connecting straight across with the crosswalk on Hipp Street behind the First Baptist Church of Ellijay. The Council tabled this discussion as Police Chief Lacey brought up national studies that suggested a crosswalk, by itself, could put pedestrians in further danger as they tend to walk out into the street without looking. This could still be counteracted with a second traffic control device of some type to help the crosswalk. A second device, according to the studies, would actually decrease the chance of pedestrian accidents on North Main Street.

The City Council ended the meeting by adopting a Resolution in Support of efforts to keep NGMC open. This includes a letter of opposition. You can find this letter and the ordinances on FetchYourNews.com later today.