The Town of Dover Board of Mayor and Aldermen met at City Hall March 9 with all members present. First on the agenda, Mayor Lesa Fitzhugh honored Ray Brewer. Brewer passed away in December. He worked for the Town of Dover Police Department as well as the Stewart Co. School System. “At this time we would like to honor the memory of someone that dedicated his life in service to others. He proudly served in the US Navy and was a veteran of the Korean War. Following his military service he continued his commitment to public service through a distinguished 40 year career in law enforcement in both Detroit, Michigan and Dover. He cherished the Town of Dover and often said you couldn’t find a better place to live. If all of you knew him, you would know his dedication and how he was loved. Even though he did his job, it was in love and nobody got mad. I am so thankful I had the opportunity to know him,” Fitzhugh said. Town of Dover police officers held up a blanket with Brewer’s picture from his days as a police officer and gave it to his family that was in attendance.
Next on the agenda was the public comment portion of the meeting. David Ross, a concerned vocal citizen spoke. “I speak to you as former (city) Mayor, I understand the way of the city, I also speak as a taxpayer, I see a lame duck council moving to permanently change our city’s footprint before the August county election and November city election. Our current growth plan was written in the year 2000, it was a 20 year map that expired six years ago. You are trying to solve 21st century infrastructure crisis with a 20th century plan. The General Assembly is pushing forward bills right now, House Bill 24-19 and Senate Bill 23-11, where if passed, it would require $50k impact studies and mandatory county approval for annexations. Rushing this in April, the upcoming annexation is an attempt, as some may see, to beat the clock on transparency. Lets talk about the math, we don’t know how many houses will be built up there (property across from County Mayor’s Office, Bill Mace Homes is requesting to be annexed into the city), I’ve heard as many as 100, I’ve heard quarter acre lots. We know the reality is high density residential sprawl costs more services, police, fire and road maintenance. Shane Lee Circle water pressure is bad, it’s not going to improve unless we strengthen the infrastructure.
What about our own houses?…