Tag Archives: Elections

Losing our individual freedom of choosing –Carl Johnson Jr. @ LCC 2013-05-28

A veteran said he was concerned about losing our freedoms right here in Lowndes County because of the Commissions’ recent trash collection decisions, in yesterday’s Regular Session of the Lowndes County Commission.

Excerpts from what Carl Johnson Jr. said:

Carl Johnson Jr. As I drove into town today I drove by… Brown’s produce. Right across the way was Mr. Carter’s produce. Both of them same business. Why not just take Mr. Carter’s business, and say, well, we’re going to give it all to Mr. Brown…. We think it’s in the best interests of the county. That’s not the American way of life. Competition in everything is the strength of America….

[Applause]

Walter Elliott, Attorney for Lowndes County He said he didn’t know the intricacies of the law, but he asked the Commission to reconsider. Attorney for Lowndes County Walter Elliott looked on stone-faced. County Manager Joe Pritchard, as usual, paid no attention to citizen speakers.

There’s more in the video: Continue reading →

A county that eats its own –Gretchen Quarterman @ LCC 2013-05-28

“Stop wasting taxpayer money” said Gretchen Quarterman in yesterday’s Regular Session of the Lowndes County Commission.

Gretchen Quarterman I sort of wish that I had been able to observe the executive session where you discussed the pending lawsuit against Deep South Sanitation. I wonder who asked the question “Is it beneficial to all concerned?” I wonder which one of you said “This will really attract people to start or relocate business in our county when we sue one of our local business owners.”

If I were considering a business move, I wouldn’t move to a county that eats its own.

I ask that you drop the lawsuit and stop wasting taxpayer money. Thank you.

[Applause]

Bill Slaughter and Gretchen Quarterman were inducted into Valdosta Rotary on the same day (12 September 2012); that’s John Page, already a member, standing behind them. County Attorney Walter Elliott is also a member. The Rotary Continue reading →

We like doing business with Deep South Sanitation –Duane Roark @ LCC 2013-05-28

A 47-year local resident got up to say he liked Deep South Sanitation after he tried the monopoly company, and he likes having a choice. This was in yesterday’s Regular Session of the Lowndes County Commission.

Duane Roark said he was a satisfied customer of the recycling centers the county closed, and he didn’t like it when he heard he had to do business with ADS. Nonetheless, he signed up, but he wasn’t happy because of numerous mistakes so he switched to Deep South Sanitation, where the CEO answers the phone and delivered a can that same day. DSS: a man with one truck: what harm is he doing?

Duane Roark We like that we have a choice….

And he’s got my vote.
[Applause]

Some of the incumbent Commissioners may find votes hard to come by.

More in the video:

Continue reading →

F for Georgia state integrity

Worst of all fifty states; worse than South Carolina and worse than Michigan: that’s why Georgia’s gets an F on its corruption risk report card from State Integrity Investigation. Gov. Nathan Deal did just sign an ethics bill, but as William Perry, executive director of Common Cause Georgia says,

“It’s like you’re starving for a meal and somebody gave you a saltine cracker.
It’s chock full of loopholes.”

I wonder if this lack of ethics in state government has anything to do with widespread rural poverty in Georgia?

-jsq

Valdosta PR about wastewater issues

The city of Valdosta responds. I have decorated this PR with a few images with links, and a few comments after it. -jsq

Mayor and Council Address Recent Wastewater Issues,

The Valdosta Mayor and City Council are committed to providing quality municipal services that meet the expectations of our citizens. In addition to providing fire and police protection and other beneficial quality of life services, the city leadership is equally committed to providing adequate water and wastewater treatment services to its citizens, maintaining a functioning sewer collection system and discharging treated water in an environmentally responsible manner.

Recently, citizens have been inundated with information about the current state of the city’s wastewater treatment plant and sewer collection system, as well as the decisions made during the recent flood event. The following information is provided to explain the recent event and to help citizens better understand these important issues and the dedicated work of their elected officials and municipal staff.

THE SITUATION

Continue reading →

Spilling Sewage Pictures by Gabe Fisher 3:30 PM 24 March 2013

Received yesterday. -jsq

Date: Sun, 24 Mar 2013 15:43:47 -0400

Manhole

All, just so everyone is on the same page- the sewer line is currently spilling sewage. It just started at mu house but has been going strong at sugar creek for awhile by the looks of it. Here are some current pictures as of 3:30 today. It will get worse until the river crests..

Gabe

Continue reading →

Harris resignation letter —Gretchen Quarterman

Some thoughts on the Kay Harris resignation letter.

  1. If the library building is going to fall down, move the library to another available building like the soon to be closed federal building downtown.
  2. Has she forgotten that the newspaper brags that SPLOST is paid half by people who don't even live in the county?
  3. If Valdosta had gone ahead with the MOST then for sure county residents would have been paying for something that they wouldn't get to use. How much "shopping" is outside the Valdosta city limits? Harvey's in Bemiss, Harvey's in Hahira and the stores in Lake Park.

Certainly a SPLOST is better than a MOST.

-gretchen

Kay Harris resigned as Chair and from Library Board

Received today: PDF, with transcription appended below. -jsq

Kay Harris talking about SPLOST VII March 15, 2013

Joe Pritchard
County Manager
Lowndes County
327 N. Ashley St.
Valdosta, GA 31601

Dear Mr. Pritchard:

It is with great regret that I find the need to step down from the Lowndes County
and South Georgia Regional Library Board of Trustees. I fear that I am no longer
capable of holding this position in light of the county’s recent actions.

As you are aware,
Continue reading →

More Valdosta wastewater correspondence

Some interesting questions have come up in Gabe Fisher's continuing correspondence with the City of Valdosta about sewage in his back yard and under his house, while City Council Tim Carroll continues to respond, both copying a long list of people.

From: Gabe Fisher
Date: Mon, 4 Mar 2013 14:23:12 -0500

All, I appreciate the update on where the city stands on moving the sewer all together—I just wish we had been kept informed of the plans over the last 4 years. Living with the *real* threat of flooding is stressful enough, add in the guaranteed associated sewage spill is more than I can handle.

I also appreciate the city workers spreading lime and working on the sewer line behind my house today. But I have questions—What about the sewage in my yard and under my house? Is this my responsibility?

Thanks, Gabe

Tim Carroll responded with a couple of suggestions:

Continue reading →

Valdosta Neighborhood Covered In Raw Sewage —WCTV

Valdosta Flooding As he indicated yesterday, Gabe Fisher got his sewage-covered neighborhood on WCTV last night.

Greg Gullberg wrote for WCTV yesterday, Valdosta Neighborhood Covered In Raw Sewage,

Chad Harrison After days of torrential rain, the same rain that caused the rivers to flood, the sewage pump has been overwhelmed in the Meadow Brook Subdivison just off Gornto Road.

“You know how bad it smells in a bathroom when someone goes in and uses a public restroom. Multiple that ten times,” said Chad Harrison, a local resident.

Greg Gullberg The whole area behind their houses is just covered in raw sewage. Your boots sink down into it with every step. We’re talking everything from human waste, to toilet paper, to hygiene products and a whole other list of things that are just too graphic to mention.

“Probably about 12 to 14 inches of raw sewage,” said Harrison. “It’s just everywhere. It’s all up and down the creek. It’s all behind everybody’s houses.”

House There’s more in the WCTV story, such as that the city has included neighbors in meetings, but has not yet changed anything. The city’s PR about the flooding says:

Continue reading →