Among other things, Fred Richards wants Flowery Branch Park on Lake Lanier to become a tourist destination, more commercial development near downtown and better-defined city limits.
"I would like to have us have an idea of where the city limits of Flowery Branch would be in the future," Richards said. "Right now everything's kind of scattered."
Richard's 116-93 runoff win over Jason Covert allowed him to fill the seat vacated by Kris Yardley. Mayor Mike Miller said it took some re-arranging at times, but the city always had enough members to vote at meetings and he was glad to have a full city council seated at City Hall.
With Fred Richards filling his seat, Tara Richards position is the only vacancy; she is on active military duty but still holds her city office.
"We never went without having a quorum so that should not be an issue," Miller said.
Mary Jones, a former council member, filled the seat left vacant when Chris Fetterman resigned because of an out of town job promotion.
LOWER EMPLOYEE INSURANCE
Flowery Branch City Council approved a slight increase in health insurance cost with a new company that brings cheaper benefits to employees.
They approved a plan with Ohio-based Consumers Life Insurance Company. City Manager Bill Andrew said the plan with Consumer's Life is going to cost 31-cents more per employee per month and it means lower co-pay, office visits, and prescriptions.
"The cost for the employees to insure their families will go down significantly," Andrew said.
Andrew said even with the increase the city is still $30,000 under budget for insurance this year.
Fred Richards is sworn in by City Clerk Marja Burney
http://accesswdun.com/article/2012/4/247235