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Published Monday, November 16, 2009 in Local

Newnan has 4 voices on water panel

By Winston Skinner

The Times-Herald

Walter "Sonny" Deriso, H. Bruce Jackson and and S. Taylor Glover are all graduates of Newnan High School.

Deriso graduated in 1964. Jackson, who got his diploma in 1968, recalled being at Boy Scout camp at Camp Thunder when Deriso also was there.

Glover graduated a year after Jackson. "I remember him," Glover said of Jackson.

Now the three NHS grads will be seeing each other again -- and joining Newnan resident Lynn Smith -- on the water contingency task force formed in October by Gov. Sonny Perdue. Smith is a state representative and has been an acknowledged leader in state water issues.

The task force will meet over the next several weeks to put together recommendations about the use of water in Georgia.

"I am very appreciative of the time and effort these leaders from across Georgia have committed to the important task at hand," Perdue said. "I have asked this group to look at any and all possible solutions and let the facts drive their recommendations."

Coca-Cola Enterprises Chairman and CEO John Brock and Tim Lowe of Lowe Engineers are serving as co-chairmen of the task force. The group is scheduled to present recommendations before the January 2010 legislative session.

The group held its first meeting on Oct. 7 in Atlanta. Glover was not able to attend that meeting. "I'm going to the next one," he said.

The task force was put together to address contingency planning for water following a federal court ruling that could reduce the amount of water Atlanta can draw from Lake Lanier in the future.

The task force's role is "to develop a contingency plan that considers both conservation and water supply," Brock said. "This issue will affect Georgia for decades to come."

"What's supposed to come out of this is recommendations," Jackson noted. The legislature will then have to craft legislation to address the water issue.

The task force has 87 members with a wide range of expertise and interests. Even though there are some members "with some pretty hard core agendas," Jackson said the size and breadth of the group is a strength. The number and diversity ensure that all issues will get addressed before recommendations go to the legislature.

Leaders from business, government and conservation organizations are on the panel. Deriso, who lived in Albany in southwest Georgia for several years, noted the task force has members from throughout the state.

"This is a state problem. This is not a metro problem. That's one reason for the large number," Deriso said.

Jackson is an attorney who practices in both Georgia and Colorado. Jackson is a partner in Arnall, Golden and Gregory, the Atlanta law firm founded by Gov. Elllis Arnall, a Newnan native.

Deriso was an attorney for several years and has been in banking since 1991. Now chairman of Atlantic Capital Bank, Deriso also is chairman of the board of the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority and a member of the board of directors of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.

A former executive with Merrill Lynch, Glover was tapped to lead Turner Enterprises, Ted Turner's personal business and philanthropic organization, in 2001.

"The governor has named an outstanding group of leaders to serve on this task force," Brock said. "This task force brings together business, conservation and government leaders from throughout our state, and it is that equal representation of all interests that will allow us to be successful," Lowe added.

Jackson said he expects to be involved in task force discussions that relate to how Georgia's options interface with water laws of longstanding in western states.

Jackson said Georgians are having to rethink water. "We've always kind of assumed we had plenty," he said.

The ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Paul Magnuson that could roll back Atlanta's water withdrawals from Lake Lanier has sent shock waves through the state's business and development sectors -- since the capital city is also the region's main economic engine.

"People are scared to death," Jackson said.

"I see us adopting a lot of elements that are used out West," he said. Western states, like Colorado, have not had the abundance of water resources that Georgia has, and they have developed some effective ways to manage those limited resources. They've done it before. Let's not reinvent the wheel.".

People and organizations in Colorado have the right to use water, but the water must be used. If someone has a permit for more water than they are consistently using, the law allows for the remainder to be reallocated.

"The governor has looked at the decision that Judge Magnuson rendered, which many of us disagree with, and has come up with a strategy to deal with" a range of issues "if that decision is sustained," Deriso said.

While many state leaders are hoping Magnuson's ruling with ultimately be overturned, the task force offers some high-powered expertise to answer questions if it is not.

Deriso said if the ruling is implemented, the gap between what is needed and what will be permitted will be 34 percent. "It would take a number of things to address that," he said.

The task force will look at "every idea feasible that might work to address the situation," Deriso said. Those findings will be compiled and given to Perdue. The task force will bring to one place "all the ideas that business and government and corporations and conservationists and the other other folks come up with," Deriso said.

Deriso predicted the task force will address conservation options but also look at ways of capturing water that may be available -- "raising the ability to capture groundwater and rain."

Jackson noted the task force has some staff. "Numerous people are being interviewed," Deriso said.

"To a member, this task force is committed to working together to ensure that our state is well-prepared to meet our water needs long into the future," Lowe said.

For Deriso, Jackson and Glover, the preparation they bring started in Coweta County -- and their commitment with their families. Deriso grew up in Newnan. His mother, Hilda, was a respected educator, and his sister, Ruby Ann Jackson, is a retired Coweta County teacher.

Jackson grew up in Grantville where his father, Harry Jackson, was the town's pharmacist. His mother, Edna Jackson, now lives in the Newnan area.

Glover's father, Cliff, was a Newnan businessman. His mother, Inez, is a retired school librarian and continues to live in Newnan.

"Newnan was a wonderful place to grow up and to get prepared for what was coming," Deriso reflected.

"Going through Newnan High, we were given a strong, basic education that prepared us well for college and professional schools. What Newnan did was prepare us for further growth, which allowed all of us to go out and do various things in the business world and in the professions," he added.

"We were all taught to care about other people," Deriso said. "We were all taught that we have a responsibility to give back."