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19 <br /> The talk of consolidating the City and County Water Systems stalled until late <br /> 1973. An article appeared in the Winston-Salem Journal on November 29, 1973 entitled, <br /> Water/Sewer Study Starts Friday. The article announced a new committee. Members to <br /> the committee were appointed as before, with fair representation from both the City of <br /> Winston-Salem and Forsyth County. Appointed by the Winston-Salem Board of <br /> Aldermen were Director of Hanes Dye and Finishing Company, Joel A. Weston, Sr.; <br /> Vice President of Wachovia Mortgage Company, Sterling A. Spainhour; and the <br /> Manager of Westinghouse, Alan J. Melinger. The Forsyth County Commissioners <br /> appointed Director of Western Electric Company, H. J. Shultz; a Lumber Company <br /> Executive from Rural Hall, Burke E. Wilson; and Fred D. Hauser, a former Chairman of <br /> the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners. (Hore, 12-4-73) The final member of the <br /> group was George S. Coltrane of Kernersville. Fred Hauser was chosen to serve as the <br /> Chairman of the group because he had dealt with the consolidation talks in 1965. This <br /> group was faced with the subject of timing of consolidation, since by this time; there was <br /> no question that it would occur. (Hoar, 11-29-73) <br /> Discussions regarding the details of the consolidation agreement bounced through <br /> various committees of both the City and County for several months. Negotiations on <br /> specifics took some time. Discussions of a consolidated water system came to a head at <br /> an abruptly called special meeting of the Forsyth County Commissioners and the <br /> Winston-Salem Board of Aldermen in April of 1976. The meeting was called to vote on <br /> a final agreement, designated to create a unified Public Water System. The <br /> Commissioners and the City Aldermen voted in separate sessions, with the agreement <br /> being passed in a 3-1 vote and 5-4 vote, respectively. With the close vote on the <br /> consolidation issue, it quickly became apparent that opposition to some critical sections <br /> of the agreement still existed for both elected officials and citizens alike. This lack of <br /> agreement came as a surprise to many, because all involved had previously appeared <br /> satisfied with negotiations. One figure in particular, Alderman Richard N. Davis, was a <br /> vocal opponent. He argued that the terms of this agreement had been changed to the <br /> City's disadvantage and the Aldermen had no control over what would be decided. He <br /> preferred an earlier proposal that gave the Board of Aldermen final approval over all <br /> actions of the appointed commission. (Hoar and Slater, 4-21-76) <br /> 5 <br />