KENNESAW - State Sen. John Wiles (R-Kennesaw) cautioned the City Council on Monday that Georgia House Speaker Glenn Richardson's plan to eliminate property taxes is "extremely popular."

"It truly could be a substantial change in how you do business," Wiles said.

With the Legislature in recess until after the new year, Richardson (R-Hiram) has taken his proposal to eliminate property taxes in the state on the road, meeting with newspapers and civic groups across Georgia, and gaining support.

Wiles, speaking during the public comment portion of Tuesday's council meeting, told the City Council that Richardson's plan to eliminate property taxes hasn't gained favor from several Cobb officials, who've been outspoken against the plan, saying it is a loss of local control.

Wiles said while the tax plan would originate in the House, the state Senate has a few ideas of its own. But, he said, they would just have to wait and see what gets passed in the House.

"It's going to be a very tough session," Wiles said. "The first couple of days will be very interesting."

Wiles also mentioned Cobb's growing universities. He said he's working to find a permanent location for Georgia Highlands College.

The two-year college now has a campus in Bartow County, and also is partially housed at Southern Polytechnic State University in Marietta.

But Wiles said as SPSU continues to grow, Georgia Highlands College needs a permanent home in Cobb.

"Perhaps a shopping center that's gone dark," Wiles said.

He said as Kennesaw State University tightens its admission requirements, graduating high school seniors are finding it more challenging to gain acceptance into the college. Many attend two-year programs like those Georgia Highlands offers, and then transfer into the larger university.

"I'm working very hard on that," he said.

As next year's session nears, Wiles asked for the council's input and for them to contact him with concerns.

"Before you scream at me in the paper, call me first," he said. "If you have a problem, you've got my cell phone number. It really helps to have your input."

Wiles also was at Tuesday's council meeting to join in honoring former Councilmen Charles Benjamin "Ben" Robertson, who died in January.

Robertson's widow, Dayle Robertson, and many of Robertson's friends and family accepted a state Senate proclamation and a City Council proclamation honoring Robertson's 23 years service on Kennesaw's City Council.

Mrs. Robertson also was presented with a glass statue with the city's logo etched into it. Before his death, Robertson designed the city's logo, which prominently features the infamous General locomotive.

"This is one of the many things he created for the city," Mayor Leonard Church said.

Church also gave Ms. Robertson a picture of the Kennesaw Community Center, and announced plans to rename the center the Ben Robertson Community Center.

"He truly was a public servant," Ms. Robertson said. "Thank you all for remembering him."

In other action, the City Council:

n Heard a presentation from Susan Kessler and the Caution and Courtesy Driver Alliance about her "Caution - Newly Licensed" driver car magnets. Councilman Mark Mathews suggested the Kennesaw Youth Council examine the program and make a recommendation to the council.

n Approved a resolution to update the Kennesaw Youth Council bylaws with regard to term of office. The Youth Council approved the updated bylaws at its Aug. 27 meeting.

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