A Promise to Sky Valley

Sky Valley residents, voters and property owners deserve to know what’s happening in our city and city government. As Mayor, I will lead with TRANSPARENCY, consistency, integrity and clarity in communication. These are cornerstones of good government.

1. Transparency

☀ Sunlight is the greatest disinfectant. There will be open discussion to the extent allowable by law, and no hidden agendas. Transparency builds trust. I will make City Hall open, understandable and accessible  to the public.

All meetings, workshops and retreats of the Mayor and City Council should take place in Sky Valley.

On February 23, 2024, and again on March 14, 2025, the Sky Valley City Council held work sessions in Gainesville to discuss, among other matters, the controversial proposed septic-to-sewer project with Engineering Management (EMI), the city’s contracted consultant. The off-site planning session was justified as more convenient for the engineering firm and enabling city staff to avoid “daily work distractions.” (Email, March 7, 2025.)

While such meetings may be legally permissible, they are not in the best interest of the public and do not promote trust in our local government. As the screenshots below demonstrate, this is no recent awakening for me: I commented then on my Facebook page, “Sweet on Sky Valley,” before both meetings.

Why This Matters

• Accessibility: Expecting residents to travel a 140-mile round trip to attend a public meeting is burdensome, unreasonable, and impractical, especially when there is no online access to the event.

• Public Trust: City Council meetings, particularly when consequential matters such as the controversial septic-to-sewer project are discussed, should be held in Sky Valley, or at least in Rabun County, so that interested residents can reasonably attend, observe and participate.

• Understandable: Agendas should give residents specific and meaningful notice of issues to be considered. Vague or generic agendas undermine the public’s right to be informed.

• Substance Over Form: That no formal vote is taken does not make meetings less important. Information is exchanged, discussions held, questions asked, and recommendations made. Opinions are formed and conclusions reached, all of which shape the decision-making process.

My Position

As mayor, I will ensure that all city council meetings are held in Sky Valley, where they belong, or close to home in Rabun County, with online access for property owners who are not nearby. Convenience for a contractor or city staff must not be allowed to outweigh the community’s right to accessible government. Every decision, every discussion, and every step in the process should be open to the people of Sky Valley. Transparency builds trust.