Quite a few people showed up at the Lowndes County Commission
public hearing about abandoning part of Bethany Road, speaking pro and con.
We learned many interesting reasons for abandoning that road,
which would apply to many dirt and maybe paved roads in the county,
many of which are on the county’s paving list.
More about that and an interesting view of the press in later posts.
First, here’s what we’re talking about.
Abandonment of a Portion of Bethany Road,
County Engineer, Mike Fletcher, presented a request by citizens for the
abandonment of a portion of Bethany Road. Mr. Fletcher explained that
the Commission was being asked to make an initial determination that
either the section of the county road system has been ceased to be used
by the public to the extent that no substantial purpose is served by it,
or that its removal from the county road system is otherwise in the best
public interest. Mr. Fletcher added that once the initial determination
was made, staff would move forward with the appropriate advertising of
a public hearing at which time the Commission could make a final decision.
Here’s
video
in which County Engineer Mike Fletcher said the part of Bethany Road
to be abandoned runs from Bethany Drive down through the Stith
and Turner family properties towards Old US 41 North
as far as the Rykard property,
and that all residents would still have access out to other roads.
County Manager Joe Pritchard noted that
Continue reading →
County Manager Joe Pritchard briefly described
agenda item
8.a. Ankle Monitoring System
He said it would permit jail inmates to serve some of their time outside the jail.
He mentioned early discussions with Commissioners Joyce Evans and Richard Raines,
and said it started related to drug court, but the idea had expanded.
He recommended the board approve the County Manager working with the
judges to organize the monitoring.
Chairman (and former Sheriff) Ashley Paulk remarked that this could lower the jail population.
He seemed to be in favor of it.
Sheriff Chris Prine had some concerns that were hard to hear,
but seemed to be related to budget.
Pritchard indicated that everybody realized the program was an experiment,
and everyone would work with the Sheriff to avoid any unnecessary impact.
Commissioner Raines also reassured the Sheriff along the same lines.
8.a. Ankle Monitoring System –Joe Pritchard @ LCC 12 December 2011
Work Session, Lowndes County Commission (LCC),
Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, 12 December 2011.
Videos by Gretchen Quarterman for LAKE, the Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange.
The Commission started early, and they were already into agenda item
7.a. REZ-2011-16 South Beach Commercial, US Hwy 41 South R-10 & TLA to C-G, ~1.7 acres
when this video started.
Then they moved right into
7.b. Lowndes County – Greater Lowndes 2030 Comprehensive Plan Updates — Resolution to Transmit
As you can see, County Planner Jason Davenport had little to say
about that
(mostly that this draft isn’t the final version; they’ll revise it some time
next year after they hear back from the state),
and the Commissioners even less (they said nothing),
at Monday morning’s Work Session.
Tonight at 5:30 PM they vote on sending these materials to the state.
If you want to know what’s in these documents, see
Gretchen’s writeups
The actual documents are
on the LAKE web site.
LAKE obtained them from elsewhere after the county refused to honor
an open records request.
The Chairman told Gretchen yesterday that those versions were “close enough”
to what they’re going to vote on tonight.
Comprehensive Plan @ LCC Work Session, 12 December 2011
Work Session, Lowndes County Commission (LCC),
Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, 12 December 2011.
Videos by Gretchen Quarterman for LAKE, the Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange.
These videos of Monday morning’s work session start some way into the agenda,
because they started about five minutes early.
Here are
the videos.
Videos of LCC Work Session, 12 December 2011
Work Session, Lowndes County Commission (LCC),
Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, 12 December 2011.
Videos by Gretchen Quarterman for LAKE, the Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange.
which I’m guessing has to do with changes in population in County Commission
districts.
Maybe they’ll say at the Work Session Monday morning.
And these interesting items:
8.f. Lowndes County Fire Rescue Standard Operating Procedures
.br>
8.g. Animal Welfare Standard Operating Procedures
I wonder if those procedures are available for citizens to see?
Plus a rezoning, a road abandonment,
a beer and wine license, and quite a few other items
for the last meeting of the year.
Given they haven’t met since
7 November 2011,
more than a month ago, I guess that’s not surprising.
LOWNDES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROPOSED AGENDA
WORK SESSION, MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2011, 8:30 a.m.
REGULAR SESSION, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2011, 5:30 p.m.
327 N. Ashley Street – 2nd Floor
Quite a few people showed up at the Lowndes County Commission
public hearing about abandoning part of Bethany Road, speaking pro and con.
We learned many interesting reasons for abandoning that road,
which would apply to many dirt and maybe paved roads in the county,
many of which are on the county’s paving list.
More about that and an interesting view of the press in later posts.
First, here’s what we’re talking about.
Here’s
video
in which County Engineer Mike Fletcher said the part of Bethany Road
to be abandoned runs from Bethany Drive down through the Stith
and Turner family properties towards Old US 41 North
as far as the Rykard property,
and that all residents would still have access out to other roads.
County Manager Joe Pritchard noted that
Continue reading 
