By Matt Gardner
During the Appling County Commissioners regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, July 3, several local citizens shared their concerns about noise at Lake Mayers. Chairman Lewis Parker informed the commission that during a recent meeting held at the lake a loud boat was speeding around and making a lot of noise and stated that it was the loudest continuous noise besides a jet plane that he has ever heard.
Shane Crosby told the commissioners that he has been traveling to the lake for many years and it does get noisy from time to time throughout the day, but does not want anything to be done too quickly and any decision made that might not have the effect desired.
Citizens share concerns about Lake Mayers
Jordan Springer informed the commissioners that the noise has been mainly from speed boats that have been coming periodically and the lake is no place for those type of boats. Kevin Williams stated that the boats have been coming for the last few years due to the low level of the river.
After some discussion about possible solutions, including a speed limit, a noise ordinance and placing a full-time worker at the lake, the commissioners asked County Manager Lee Lewis to contact neighboring counties about how they handle monitoring noise at their lakes.
Other business
Road Department Supervisor Tommy Davis informed the commissioners that he has received multiple requests from local farmers to close sections of county roads to allow pivots to cross the roads. After some discussion the commissioners asked Lewis to investigate the matter with other counties around the state.
Bids for two new dump trucks were opened with the low bid coming from Freightliner of Savannah for the amount of $122,497.00 per truck for a total bid of $244,994.00. A motion was made by Commissioner Ronnie Rentz to accept the low bid, with a second being made by Commissioner Theodore Wilkerson. Commissioners Rentz, Wilkerson and Charlie Leggett voted in favor of the motion with Commissioner Sarah Boatright was not in attendance. The trucks will be paid with SPLOST funds and will be delivered in 90 days. Lewis informed the Commissioners that the trucks will be used by the Road Department to help with upcoming SPLOST projects.
The Emergency Management Ordinance, GEMA Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement and Emergency and Disaster Mutual Aid Agreement were approved unanimously.
After entering into an executive session to discuss personnel the commissioners voted unanimously to hire Joe Williams, John Graham and Terry Moody to the Road Department.
County manager’s report
Lewis informed the commissioners that he had spoken to Joe Sanutti about a request for signs to be placed on the six major highways leading into Appling County. He also shared information about the local farmers market that has received a lot of positive feedback and is held each Saturday morning in July at City Hall.
After some discussion about possible solutions, including a speed limit, a noise ordinance and placing a full-time worker at the lake, the commissioners asked County Manager Lee Lewis to contact neighboring counties about how they handle monitoring noise at their lakes.
Other business
Road Department Supervisor Tommy Davis informed the commissioners that he has received multiple requests from local farmers to close sections of county roads to allow pivots to cross the roads. After some discussion the commissioners asked Lewis to investigate the matter with other counties around the state.
Bids for two new dump trucks were opened with the low bid coming from Freightliner of Savannah for the amount of $122,497.00 per truck for a total bid of $244,994.00. A motion was made by Commissioner Ronnie Rentz to accept the low bid, with a second being made by Commissioner Theodore Wilkerson. Commissioners Rentz, Wilkerson and Charlie Leggett voted in favor of the motion with Commissioner Sarah Boatright was not in attendance. The trucks will be paid with SPLOST funds and will be delivered in 90 days. Lewis informed the Commissioners that the trucks will be used by the Road Department to help with upcoming SPLOST projects.
The Emergency Management Ordinance, GEMA Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement and Emergency and Disaster Mutual Aid Agreement were approved unanimously.
After entering into an executive session to discuss personnel the commissioners voted unanimously to hire Joe Williams, John Graham and Terry Moody to the Road Department.
County manager’s report
Lewis informed the commissioners that he had spoken to Joe Sanutti about a request for signs to be placed on the six major highways leading into Appling County. He also shared information about the local farmers market that has received a lot of positive feedback and is held each Saturday morning in July at City Hall.
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#1
Doug Jackson
on
07/13/12 at 07:26 AM
[Reply]
In reference to the concerns about Lake Mayers. The loud race boats are only running for a few minutes at a time, then loading up and leaving. My family and I enjoy watching them run. We have a mobile home on the lake and can hardly hear them while inside. They are also waiting till late in the afternoon when the lake is mostly clear of other boats and I really don't see them to be a safety threat to others on the lake. The loud outside concerts and drinking parties are much more of a concern to me than a loud boat a few minutes a week before dark.
#1.1
John & Dottie Daust
on
07/13/12 at 09:03 PM
[Reply]
These loud boats are very obnoxious & they do run for more than a few minutes at a time. We cannot eat a meal outside evenings on our decks & enjoy it because the noise is so loud & unpleasant we cannot even hold a conversation. Many times we have considered calling the law saying they are disturbing our peace. Some of the inboard boats are a little overdoing it with their loud speakers too, but once they turn across the dam we no longer hear them until they come around again.
#1.2
Anonymous
on
07/16/12 at 01:14 PM
[Reply]
Thanks for the reply Doug. I myself have a louder than normal pleasure boat and due to the low water levels in the Altamah River WILL be going to the lake to enjoy it. I thought this lake was for everyone not just the local property owners who surround the lake. If I was going to be concerned about anything it would be the young kids that operate the personal watercraft (aka jetskis ) that run out in front of these (aka speed boats) without looking and by the way the jetskis are faster than most of the speedboats.
#2
Anonymous
on
07/14/12 at 12:27 PM
[Reply]
I agree about the loud "concerts" and drinking parties. However, the boats ARE loud too and are probably dangerous. Maybe BOTH issues should be addressed!
#3
Shane Crosby
on
07/18/12 at 03:50 PM
[Reply]
In response about myself going before the County Commission on the noise issue at Lake Mayers I would like to quote what I presented and gave a copy to each member present at the meeting. "I personally have been on Lake Mayers since it was built. I have raised my children on those waters and have lived or been a part of it since it was created. I am there four or five days every week and yes it becomes crowded and noisy at times. Whether you own, lease, rent or visit, it is just a part of life there and has been since it was built. Lake Mayers is for recreation. Not everyone that uses it may enjoy the same type of recreation (example: some may fish some may paddle a canoe, some may run power(speed) boats and some may just enjoy being there.)" I just asked that they wouldn't rush into any type of regulations that may prevent someone from using the lake for recreation purposes as it was built for. I stated I respected the opinions of the gentleman speaking about loud speed boats and I stated I appreciated the Chairman and Commission giving me the opportunity to speak on my behalf.