LULA - Putting differences aside, the Lula City Council is looking ahead to the city's future.
During a 4.5-hour retreat at city hall Friday, Mayor Milton Turner, city councilmen and City Manager Dennis Bergin began charting a course of where they'd like to see the city go.
Common themes throughout the gathering were "staying the course", "developing partnerships", and "making good choices".
"We've got to start making good choices," Bergin told city elected officials. He said that means the city must stop borrowing money from one fund for another.
Instead, he said the city must charge appropriately for the services it provides.
"If it costs us a dollar, we should charge a dollar," Bergin said, noting the city has the third largest land mass in Hall County.
Regarding working well with those around Lula, Bergin stressed the city must form relationships with the Hall County Chamber of Commerce, with the sheriff's offices, and with service providers.
Bergin said the city must stay the course when it comes to development, encouraging performance zoning - which factors in slope, grade and transportation.
"We need to make sure we have the right tools to attract the right elements," Bergin said.
Bergin and city officials agreed a grocery store tops the wish list for Lula and its residents and officials, but said that's not likely to happen until either the city's population increases significantly or alcohol sales are approved - or both.
Regarding the importance of alcohol sales, Bergin said at least one large development will not come into the city without it.
Councilman Garnett Smith said he personally would vote against alcohol sales in the voting booth, but believes the residents of Lula deserve a chance to vote on the issue.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2015/8/334460/lula-city-council-looks-to-the-future