CONYERS--Learning to communicate better was at the heart of a strategic planning session the Rockdale Board of Commissioners held today. The meeting, held at the JP Carr Community Center, was Part 2 of a discussion on county goals for 2013, a follow-up to the board’s Jan. 8 retreat.

The board, however, locked horns at the outset of today’s meeting. The tension started right after Chairman Richard Oden presented his eight-point plan, identifying what he thought should be the county’s goals. He immediately ruffled the feathers of Commissioner JaNice Van Ness, who represents Post 2.

Oden: “This is the Vision.”

Van Ness: “This is your vision. This is confusing and I’ve never seen this before. Like who asked you to do this?”

Commissioner Oz Nesbitt, who represents Post 1, said it was clear the three of them would have to learn to work more closely with one another.

“When we talk communication, guess what? That goes in every category that’s up there,” Nesbitt said referring to a board where their ideas were shared. “Both Post 1 and Post 2 need to be kept abreast of the direction and the movement of the chairman with his internal and external thoughts with operating the county.”

The meeting’s moderator, Millicent St. Claire, suggested integrating their ideas into the eight core goals identified by Oden.

Oden said he wants the BOC, among other things, to be more visible in the community in 2013. Van Ness, noting today’s light public turnou, suggested the county have more meet-and-greet community days with commissioners and other county officials.

Outside of news reporters and county officials, the strategic meeting was attended by only three people.

Oden is scheduled to deliver his state of the county address on Jan. 31, 7 p.m., Rockdale Auditorium, 903 Main St., Conyers. He is expected to highlight goals for the county and accomplishments under his leadership.