Michael Walbrecht, vice president at Warner Bros. Entertainment, called City Manager Steve Horton to touch base on the filming, exchange contact information and to let Horton know that a couple more WB shows could be filming in Covington, including "Past Life," which is already filming in the Atlanta area, and is set to air on Fox in 2010.
"He wanted us to know that they're happy to be here working and if we have any issues, we should contact him," Horton said. "Covington has a big history in filming and an accommodating atmosphere, and he mentioned that a couple of other shows were in the works over there and could maybe make their way east."
• In other news from the Covington City Council, Horton said Porterdale officials expressed interest in contracting with Covington to repair Porterdale's city vehicles. Covington has its own maintenance shop and does many repairs in house, and Porterdale wanted to see if it could save money by contracting with Covington instead of with outside companies. Horton said officials from the two cities will meet today to discuss the proposal in more detail. He said if an initial agreement was reached, it would be a on a temporary basis to make sure the cost was cheaper and more efficient.
"We don't do everything in-house either, but it does make some sense if we can collaborate," Horton said.
• Horton said the Georgia Department of Transportation has informed the city of Covington that it could provide stimulus money to pay for relocation of utilities, water and sewer pipes that will take place in 2010 when the state widens the intersection of U.S. Highway 278 and Ga. Highway 142.
• The county is in the planning stages of a downtown Covington community garden and farmer's market, which could be located at the site of the proposed civic center. Covington Planning and Zoning Director Randy
Vinson said the county was looking into grant money for the project.
• Congressman Jim Marshall's office is going to pay to operate a local phone line at city hall, so that residents won't have to dial long distance to reach his Macon office. Horton said the city already had a free line available and when residents dial the local number it will roll over to the Macon office number. Marhsall's Communications Director Doug Moore said Marshall is trying to make it as easy as possible to contact him.
Marshall's office will reimburse the city of Covington for the cost of operating the rollover line. The new local phone number will be (678) 625-8221, which will transfer to Macon's main line, (478) 464-0255. Moore said Marshall's office also has a toll free line, (877) 464-0255, but the cost of operating a local line that rolls over is actually cheaper than the cost when a toll free line is used.
