by Roger Allen

     New Port Wentworth Mayor Glenn “Pig” Jones has his hands full right now. He made an announcement at the first city council meeting in January that he was changing the way citizens could comment on topics being discussed by council members. Under former Mayor Tim Holbrook, Port Wentworth residents could simply sign up before the meeting, and then address council during the meeting. Glenn said he did a great deal of research, and then decided to make a change in that process to follow what is the standard method used by most councils elsewhere.

     After discovering that most councils require citizens to call City Hall and ask to be put on the agenda, he decided to do the same. To those who said he was trying to keep citizens from complaining, he says absolutely not. In fact, he spent five minutes in the same council meeting explaining that he wants citizens to bring their complaints directly to the City Hall at the time when the problem happens. Glenn said that by encouraging citizens to seek an immediate solution to their problem, he is hoping that the appropriate department heads might address the issue without Mayor or Council intervening.

     If they don’t, he promises that he personally will step in to get an immediate resolution. This way, if citizens are still unable to reach what they consider an acceptable solution, the citizens can bring it to the City Council, which has the authority to take whatever action they feel is necessary to deal with the problem. He has also decided to allow citizens to sign up at the council meeting to address any issues that are placed on the agenda at the last moment.

     Another very thorny issue is the status of those residents who live in the area north of the Godley Road area, which has long been known as “North Port Wentworth.” Led by former city council candidate Mrs. Georgia Benton, they went to City Council to complain about their problems. Their major concerns seem to be the issue of a lack of services for seniors and recreational activities in their neighborhoods, the provision of water and sewer services to their homes at a higher price than the rest of Port Wentworth’s residents, and the conditions of roads in the area.

     They also announced the potential solution they may seek if their concerns aren’t addressed: a de-annexation of the “North Port Wentworth” area. They have even sought the assistance of State Senator Regina Thomas to show how serious they are about making some changes. Hearing their concerns for the first time, Mayor Jones met with County Commissioner Dean Kicklighter to learn more about this area’s history, and then arranged a face-to-face meeting with the members of the “North Port Wentworth Council” with Mrs. Steele, the group’s Secretary and Board Member for this coming Saturday.

     Glenn agrees that they have some valid points: as their water comes from the Water Treatment Plant, they do pay higher charges for water than do those whose water comes from the Floridan Aquifer; there are no facilities for seniors except in the downtown area; and some of the roads have not received the attention they deserve. He promises that in his administration he will take whatever steps are necessary to right these wrongs wherever possible. One idea he is considering is to establish a single standard water charge for all customers no matter where they live, no matter what the source of that water.

     Glenn says that his first Port Wentworth Newsletter will be coming out soon. A regular feature of Mayors and Councils for a long time, he promises to share with the citizens many of the ideas he has for making Port Wentworth an even better place to live. His staff is trying to gather data on all upcoming events so that residents will be aware of senior and recreational activities for the spring. He promises that his administration will be one of openness and respect for all people of Port Wentworth.