Audience seating being replaced in council chambers

The 20-year old audience seats have been yanked from the chambers of the Oconee County Council, to be replaced by brand new seating that the county administrator promises will be more comfortable. The old seating, with its narrow width and stiff arm rests, prompted complaints from those who like to attend council meetings. Amanda Brock, county administrator, said recent attempts to clean the old seats revealed disintegrating fiber materials, making them impossible to clean. At a cost of around $3,500, the county has ordered 100 new seats. Not all 100 will fit in the chambers, so the spares will be used in the customer waiting areas for other parts of Pine Street, the county office complex.