a project we’ve been working on
What could that project be?
Right at the beginning Lofton said:
Ben Copeland beat me slap sillyMaybe that’s a clue. What did Ben Copeland say about Brad Lofton?
Brad Lofton was going to talk after me, and he’d talk about biomass. [laughter]Continue reading
In a generally congenial and well-received speech
to the Lake Park Chamber of Commerce (LPCoC), Industrial
Authority (VLCIA) executive director Brad Lofton
gave an update on various projects and concluded
by asking for input.
“Economic development is a team sport,” he said, and
“Give us ideas” and “There’s one of us and hundreds of you.”
Lofton was introduced by LPCoC chairman Dan Bremer who said that Lofton and VLCIA brought a plant to Lake Park with 400 workers.
In his speech, Lofton lauded the LPCoC as a great incubator of local businesses.
It’s going to come from all of you.He talked about expanding local industries, especially PCA at length, asking David Carmon of PCA to stand up, saying PCA made a $230 million expansion in 2010, and noting “We had to compete for the PCA project.” Continue reading
Following up on his previous correspondence. -jsq
Continue readingFrom: Russ Anderson
Date: Mon, 31 Jan 2011 16:20:24 -0500
Subject: Re: Attn: Clarifications on my comments
To: blofton@industrialauthority.com, info@sterlingplanet.com, bmaddox@sterlingplanet.comBrad,
I’m not saying the project is good, responsible, that it will actually happen, and def. not that you are in any way right in your opinions of “green” and “renewable”.
Furthermore, I really wish you could get beyond the talking point of “the agencies and groups endorsing similar projects”, because again that is a highly contestable and skewed figure as many local, regional, and national agencies, groups, and networks still voice heavy opposition to this issue and biomass incineration.
Using words like green, renewable, etc. does not magically make it so. I know all about framing language and tactics of those wishing to line their pockets and exploit subsidy and tax loopholes. The simple fact that you are so set in your opinion and mentality is quite alarming..
For example, I am more than willing to embrace control technologies and
Continue readingDate: Wed, 26 Jan 2011 21:59:50 -0500
From: noll_family
To: apaulk@lowndescounty.com, jevans@lowndescounty.com, rraines@lowndescounty.com, cpowell@lowndescounty.com
CC: kay.harris, “John S. Quarterman”
Subject: Last Night’s MeetingDear Chairman Paulk and Commissioners.
Thanks for providing my wife and I and others opposed to the biomass plant the opportunity to address you last night. As a follow-up to last night’s meeting, let me share some thoughts with you, including reflections on a comment made about other “biomass incinerators” in our county and the continuing myth that biomass constitutes a “health benefit”:
Continue readingFrom: John S. Quarterman
Sent: Thursday, January 27, 2011 1:40 PM
To: Commissioner@lowndescounty.com
Cc: Paige Dukes
Subject: Policies and Procedures for Citizens Wishing to be HeardDear Commissioners,
At your most recent meeting I mentioned I had a few suggestions about your new Policies and Procedures for Citizens Wishing To Be Heard, and at least one of you has indicated he would like to see them, so here they are.
“2. A maximum of 10 persons shall be allowed to speak at any meeting.”I think that number is too low. On the one hand,
The interesting commission meeting will be the next one.
Remember,
Chairman Paulk said they were still operating by the old rules
at the meeting that happened this week.
So next meeting they may actually refuse to let people speak
on certain topics.
On the Frank Barnas Newstalk105.9 WVGA radio show 25 Jan 2011 the morning before the County Commission meeting, County Commmission Chairman Ashley Paulk complained that Citizens Wishing to be Heard has been abused and meetings are not free; there are people to pay.
Chairman Paulk also invoked Tuscon and said:“In these times we’ve got to run efficient meetings.”
“You need to monitor people who are there.”So posting videos of the meeting to the web should be a good idea so everyone could see what is going on.…
“You want a little better control over who and where they are.”
And in the larger picture, should we be more concerned with a few dollars now or with the ability of citizens to be heard or for that matter with the long-term economics and health of the county?
Chairman Paulk notes the sheriff has a very difficult job in
trying to find the younger Eunice in the Ocean Pond.
He asks people also to keep the Eunice family and Joyce Evans in mind
since her niece was recently murdered.
The Commission adjourns.
This second version is both noisier and perhaps somewhat easier to hear. Continue reading
He remarks that the county has contracted with an arborist
to prune a tree on the courthouse property the next day,
but don’t be alarmed; they’re not cutting any trees down.
He thanks volunteers and agencies throughout the state
who have participated in searching for the missing person in the lake.
-jsq
First time speaker
Dr. William Fuller refers to a paper copy he got from the City of Valdosta
of the
charter of the Industrial Authority.
He says it allows them to make contracts, and he asks
for someone to check to see the unelected members
of the Industrial Authority don’t contract with relatives.
He notes that the charter says their main purpose is to
promote the general welfare of the people of Lowndes County, and the proposed biomass
plant won’t do that.
-jsq
Chairman Paulk says
he got a very good email from Susan Wehling,
who said she could not be here tonight.
-jsq