"I believe COG is invaluable because it requires local mayors to meet regularly with each other and the county commissioners," said former Cedar Hills Mayor Brad Sears. "In this forum the county commissioners and mayors discuss issues that might involve all of the cities or some of the cities. In many instances they impact the county as well.

"Sometimes a suggestion made by one mayor helps another mayor with a similar problem in their community. During the six years I attended the meetings, I never felt they were a waste of my time," Sears said.

Sears said lack of a legal basis for COG doesn't mean COG isn't a good idea. He said if the organization were abandoned it would be a real loss to the entire valley of communities.

"Regular interaction between county and city officials helps nip issues and challenges while they're still small and inexpensive. It is always more productive to work through challenges before they surface as emotional or political feuds between local officials," Sears added

Highland Mayor Jess Adamson said he wants the meetings to continue and to keep their informal format.

"I've enjoyed COG because it gives us a chance to rub shoulders and discuss regional issues. It's just a great opportunity (to let our hair down). We have fun but we conduct a lot of important business there, too," Adamson said. "We do have a lot in common. We do follow each other's communities, their successes and even their failures."

Seated around the table together, the mayors get a chance to see each other as men and women who face great challenges, Adamson said. "We understand each other. We do."

Saratoga Springs Mayor Timothy Parker said, "If we didn't have that (COG), I think it would hurt the community."

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