By Matt Gardner
The Appling County Board of Commissioners held a called meeting on Thursday, February 16 at the Appling County Courthouse Annex starting at 5:30 p.m. The first act of business for the commissioners was to vote to make no changes to the solid waste plan, which allows for only one solid waste treatment facility (landfill) in the county with that one being owned by the county.
The motion to keep the plan the same was made by Commissioner Ronnie Rentz, with a second by Commissioner Sarah Boatright, and Commissioners Theodore Wilkerson and Charlie Leggett also voted in favor.
At a prior meeting the commission had voted to amend the solid waste plan. By amending the plan, independent companies could have possibly opened another landfill within the county.
Know your district? The commissioners will hold a public hearing on changes being made to county voting districts on March 6.
Commissioners reverse decision on solid waste plan
Public Input
First to address the commissioners was Steve Parrott and he thanked the board for their hard work and mentioned that it might be time to consider zoning in the county.
The next to speak to the commissioners was Norman McKinney who stated that he served in the Navy and that the United States and Appling County were very important to him. McKinney stated that he did not live near the proposed waste treatment plant but did live in the county and informed the board of the dangers and problems associated with landfills.
The third to speak before the board was Joseph Lightsey who stated that he owned property near the area that was proposed to have a new landfill. Lightsey also stated that he and the rest of the community wanted to assist in making a decision about the proposed landfill and also felt that a zoning ordinance would be very useful.
The next to speak to the commissioners was Jerry Mann, who lives in Macon, but owns land in the community near the proposed landfill site. Mann shared scripture and stated that we all have the opportunity to change our minds and correct mistakes.
Melba Thornton would be the next to speak to the board and stated that a landfill would be very dangerous to the community and county.
Next to speak to the commissioners was Diana Roush who thanked the board and all the local citizens for looking into and gathering information about the proposed independently owned landfill.
Chairman Lewis Parker commented to those in attendance that the commissioners appreciated the public for their attendance and their input.
Other business
A motion was made by Boatright to approve the proposed changes to district lines based on the results of the 2010 Census. Every 10 years the the districts must be reviewed due to changes in population and changes in minority population.Leggett made a second to the motion with the motion being approved by a split vote with Boatright, Leggett and Rentz voting in favor, and Wilkerson voting against. A public hearing will be held on March 6 to allow for public comment on the proposed changes to county district lines. The districts will also apply to Appling County Board of Education.
The purchase of 30 express poll battery replacements at the cost of $199.00 each was approved unanimously.
Information about the recreation complex irrigation system that was discussed in December was shared with the commissioners. Board members decided to purchase a booster pump at a cost of $4,500.00 to try to improve the coverage of the current system. The motion to purchase the pump from the contingency fund was approved unanimously.
County Manager Lee Lewis shared information about the Hutcheson Road Bridge closure. Lewis stated that the bridge was closed by the Georgia Department of Transportation and would look into getting state funding to help with the replacement of the bridge.
A motion was made by Leggett with a second by Boatright to resurface five miles per district, including five miles in district five. The motion was approved unanimously.
A motion to approve the use of the courthouse and city gym parking lots for the upcoming Peaches to the Beaches Yard Sale was approved unanimously.
A proclamation to name February 18 through February 25, 2012 as FFA week was approved unanimously.
The commissioners voted to go into an executive session to discuss personnel with no decisions being made after.
Before the meeting started a moment of silence and a special prayer was said for the late district five Commissioner Jasper Tomberlin.
First to address the commissioners was Steve Parrott and he thanked the board for their hard work and mentioned that it might be time to consider zoning in the county.
The next to speak to the commissioners was Norman McKinney who stated that he served in the Navy and that the United States and Appling County were very important to him. McKinney stated that he did not live near the proposed waste treatment plant but did live in the county and informed the board of the dangers and problems associated with landfills.
The third to speak before the board was Joseph Lightsey who stated that he owned property near the area that was proposed to have a new landfill. Lightsey also stated that he and the rest of the community wanted to assist in making a decision about the proposed landfill and also felt that a zoning ordinance would be very useful.
The next to speak to the commissioners was Jerry Mann, who lives in Macon, but owns land in the community near the proposed landfill site. Mann shared scripture and stated that we all have the opportunity to change our minds and correct mistakes.
Melba Thornton would be the next to speak to the board and stated that a landfill would be very dangerous to the community and county.
Next to speak to the commissioners was Diana Roush who thanked the board and all the local citizens for looking into and gathering information about the proposed independently owned landfill.
Chairman Lewis Parker commented to those in attendance that the commissioners appreciated the public for their attendance and their input.
Other business
A motion was made by Boatright to approve the proposed changes to district lines based on the results of the 2010 Census. Every 10 years the the districts must be reviewed due to changes in population and changes in minority population.Leggett made a second to the motion with the motion being approved by a split vote with Boatright, Leggett and Rentz voting in favor, and Wilkerson voting against. A public hearing will be held on March 6 to allow for public comment on the proposed changes to county district lines. The districts will also apply to Appling County Board of Education.
The purchase of 30 express poll battery replacements at the cost of $199.00 each was approved unanimously.
Information about the recreation complex irrigation system that was discussed in December was shared with the commissioners. Board members decided to purchase a booster pump at a cost of $4,500.00 to try to improve the coverage of the current system. The motion to purchase the pump from the contingency fund was approved unanimously.
County Manager Lee Lewis shared information about the Hutcheson Road Bridge closure. Lewis stated that the bridge was closed by the Georgia Department of Transportation and would look into getting state funding to help with the replacement of the bridge.
A motion was made by Leggett with a second by Boatright to resurface five miles per district, including five miles in district five. The motion was approved unanimously.
A motion to approve the use of the courthouse and city gym parking lots for the upcoming Peaches to the Beaches Yard Sale was approved unanimously.
A proclamation to name February 18 through February 25, 2012 as FFA week was approved unanimously.
The commissioners voted to go into an executive session to discuss personnel with no decisions being made after.
Before the meeting started a moment of silence and a special prayer was said for the late district five Commissioner Jasper Tomberlin.
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