Why so secretive, planning board that recommends on issues that affect citizens all over Lowndes County? Where is your agenda for your meeting at 5:30 PM today? Sure, Gretchen only asked for it today, but why does LAKE have to wheedle it out of somebody? Why don’t you or the county publish it so the public can see? Do you, the affected public, agree with Lowndes County Chairman Bill Slaughter that transparency is not a problem?

We can guess the proposed Nottinghill subdivision will be back, since it got tabled (again) at GLPC’s October meeting. Also probably the attendance policy, since last time the GLPC Chairman wasn’t there and only 6 of 11 Commissioners showed up. But what else? And why should have to guess what public business a public board is taking up tonight? Why do we have this Planning Commission if it doesn’t take its responsibilities to the citizens of this county seriously enough to show up or to tell us what it’s doing?

Lowndes County doesn’t even have today’s meeting on its public calendar. The City of Valdosta does; here’s Valdosta’s GLPC listing for today:

Greater Lowndes Planning Commission Meeting

Date: 11/25/2013 5:30 PM

Location: South Health District Administrative Office (former Lowndes County Administration Building)
327 W. Savannah Avenue
Valdosta, Georgia 31601

According to the City of Valdosta’s GLPC web page,

Greater Lowndes Planning Commission

Purpose:

The mission of the Greater Lowndes Planning Commission (GLPC) is to look beyond short-term solutions in planning for the future of the Greater Lowndes community; to improve the public health, safety, convenience and welfare; and to provide for the social, economic and physical development of communities on a sound and orderly basis, within a governmental framework and economic environment which fosters constructive growth and efficient administration.

Members:

The Planning Commission is a joint advisory board, comprised of ten citizens of various backgrounds, appointed by the elected officials of each governing body. The City of Valdosta has four appointments; the Lowndes County Board of Commissioners has three appointments; and the cities of Hahira, Lake Park, and Dasher each have one appointment. Members are appointed for five-year terms.

The current members of the Commission are:

City of Valdosta

• Chip Wildes (2000-2015)

• Johnny P. Ball, III (2006 — 2014)

• Lou McClendon (2012—2017)

• Celine Gladwin (2013-2018)

Lowndes County

• Tommy Willis (2010-2015)

• Franklin Bailey (2013-2018)

• Jody Hall (2013-2014)

• Diondra Nichols (2009-2014)

City of Dasher

• Ryan Warren (2012—2017)

City of Hahira

• Ted Raker (2012—2017)

City of Lake Park

• Thea Sprigs (2013-2017)

Regular meetings (Public Hearings) of the GLPC are held the last Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the South Health District Office Conference Room at 325 W. Savannah Avenue.

Work Sessions are held the second to last Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the South Health District Office Conference Room at 325 W. Savannah Avenue. These meetings are open to the public.

Interested in Serving:

Any City resident interested in serving on the GLPC should submit a completed application and ethics form to the City Clerk, located in the City Manager and Mayor’s office in City Hall (216 E. Central Avenue). Residents residing in unincorporated Lowndes County or the cities of Hahira, Lake Park, or Dasher should contact their respective governing authority.

More Information:

For more information, contact the Planning and Zoning Division of the Community Development Department at (229) 259-3563 or E-mail.

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