Most people wanted to know which roads would be paved when, in Bemiss, to Alapaha Subdivision, and next to the new Civic Center. They did also talk about the planned new civic center and the Alapaha Boatramp they’re building.

I thank the Chairman for clarifying his remark about paving every road in the county. He and other county officials also went on about safety being a big concern, which is news to me, on my road the county insisted on paving that became a drag race track. And what’s this about county regulations for every road? Where are they, and can we see them?

Commissioner Joyce Evans (District 1) said they would start by asking for concerns, Tony Sermons (local pastor) gave an invocation, County Manager Joe Pritchard introduced the staff, and Chairman Bill Slaughter praised Evans.

Slaughter then fielded the first question, about when a road near Bemiss would be paved. He said the ultimate goal was to pave all roads in the county. I asked him for clarification on that later in the meeting. Pastor Sermons was one of many attendees who asked road paving questions, especially about dirst Savannah Rd N.E. that goes to his church, St Mary Missionary Baptist Church.

Here’s the agenda that was handed out:

Naylor Community Town Hall Meeting
April 14, 2016

1. Welcome
2. Staff reports
3. Project Updates
   1. Naylor Community Center
   2. Boat Ramp
4. Additional Questions and Comments
5. Adjourn

People wanted to know if “a community” (a subdivision development) wanted to go in, would the road be paved? Answer: yes, because the developer would have to pay for it.

Road closings were another popular topic.

County Commissioners attending: Chairman Bill Slaugter, Joyce Evans (District 1), Demarcus Marshall (District 4), Clay Griner (District 5, arrived towards the end).

County staff attending: County Manager Joe Pritchard, County Engineer Mike Fletcher, Utilties Director Steve Stalvey, County Clerk Paige Dukes, Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks & Recreation Executive Director George Page.

Here are links to each LAKE video, with a few notes, and at the end there’s a video playlist.

• Before

  Video.

• Introduction, invocation, and road paving

  Video.

• Gate into Alapaha subivsion? Nope, county road now

  Video.

• Rain on Lake Alapaha Blvd. –Robert Dinkins

  Video.

• Alapaha Boatramp SPLOST and pave every road? –jsq & Chairman Slaughter

  Video.

• Railroad and paving width

  Video. The Chairman claimed curb and gutter was more expensive, despite the county claiming after using curb and gutter to pave through the canopies on Quarterman Road that that was less expensive. Chairman repeatedly referred to road standards; nevermind there are AASHTO standards for every purpose, and the same excuse was used when the county demanded 60′ rights of way as now when they demand 80′ rights of way. Chairman said there were “county regulations on every road in Lowndes County”. Can we see these regulations?

• More quick response, railroad safety, etc.

  Video.

• Alapaha BoatRamp 3.5 acres from Dr. Acree at US 84

  Video. County Engineer Mike Fletcher said they have bought 3.5 acres from Dr. Acree at US 84. They’ll have to take down some guard rail. There’s a 20′ wide asphalt paved road, soon millings road to a 20′-wide boat ramp, already approved by GA-DNR. There will be parking for trucks and boats, boat parking spaces 40′ long (presumably including truck and trailer with boat). Eventually put in picnic area. Right now waiting on “mother nature to quit raining three or four days a week”, so flow (not depth) of the river can go down.

  VLPRA E.D. George Page said once county is finished building it, VLPRA will take over Naylor Boatramp and manage it.

• 2,440 sq ft heated 304 sq ft covered Naylor Community Center in existing park

  Video. 2,440 sq ft heated 304 sq ft covered Naylor Community Center in existing park, with kitchen and restrooms. Once built, VLPRA will manage it.

• Fate of present Naylor Community Center; who owns it?

  Video.

• Paving Savannah Rd?

  Video.

• Lake Alapaha water system, MIEX filtration, lead very low –Steve Stalvey

  Video.

• Wrapup –Demarcus Marshall

  Video.

• Boatramp is on the Alapaha River, not at Lake Alapaha

  Video.

• Wrapup –Joyce Evans

  Video.

• Bye –Bill Slaughter

  Video.

Here’s a video playlist:

Road paving and Alapaha BoatRamp in Naylor Town Hall @ LCC 2016-04-14
Road Paving, Civic Center, Alapaha Boatramp,
Naylor Town Hall, Lowndes County Commission (LCC),
Video by John S. Quarterman for Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange (LAKE),
Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, 14 April 2016.

-jsq

Short Link: