Tag Archives: G. Walter Elliott

Videos: Special Called Meeting about Opioids Settlement 2024-08-12

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It’s still not clear why it was urgent to have a Special Called Meeting about Opioids Settlements when a Regular Session was scheduled for the next day of the Lowndes County Commission.

Here are LAKE videos of each agenda item, with a few notes, followed by a LAKE video playlist.

[Collage @ LCC 12 August 2024]
Collage @ LCC Special Called Meeting 12 August 2024

  • 1. Call to Order 2a. Opiod Claims – Kroger
    1. Call to Order 2a. Opiod Claims - Kroger

    Video.

    Presumably Ms. Bowen is Human Resources Director Rachel Bowen.

    County Attorney G. Walter Elliott said this was an amendment to add Kroger to what the county has done for others regarding a settlement.

    Commissioners Mark Wisenbaker and Demarcus Marshall wanted further clarification about whether it involved joining a lawsuit (no) and what it would cost the county (nothing). Ms. Bowen added that it would bring money to the county.

    Chairman Bill Slaughter said ACCG (Association of County Commissioners of Georgia) was drawing up requirements for how these funds can be spent.

  • 2.b. Opioid Claims – Perdue Pharma and Sackler Family
    2.b. Opioid Claims - Perdue Pharma and Sackler Family

    Video.

    This one is because the Supreme Court recently voided a previous settlement. The county is joining an attempt to get a new settlement.

  • 3. Meeting Adjournment
    3. Meeting Adjournment

    Video.

Here is the LAKE video playlist:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLshUv86fYkiG5esSQSg_Tvec_luweAelE&si=x95Idi9fPc_ryLDk

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Investigative reporting costs money, for open records requests, copying, web hosting, gasoline, and cameras, and with sufficient funds we can pay students to do further research. You can donate to LAKE today!
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Videos: Dollar General rezoning legally must be tabled, Troupville land purchase is for a park @ LCC 2022-12-12

Update 2022-12-18: Correspondence: Proposed Rezoning on GA 122 at Skipper Bridge Road 2022-12-12.

County Manager Paige Dukes said they are legally required to table the rezoning for a Dollar General, because they were a day late on getting notices out, although she twice blamed that on the Valdosta Daily Times.

[Collage @ LCC 12 December 2022]
Collage @ LCC 12 December 2022

County Chairman Bill Slaughter said the applicant had requested tabling, and he recommended the second meeting in January (January 24, 2023). Commissioner Demarcus Marshall wanted to know why. The Chairman said, “It works out for two of the parties involved, the county and the developer.” (Nevermind the people.) Commissioner Scottie Orenstein said “I’m not in favor of tabling something only to give the developer more time… If he has true intentions on meeting with the community and having a meeting with them, a town hall, something a little more official, then I’m OK with that. But not to just give them more time.” The Chairman disagreed, “Well, I don’t think time is going to resolve anything in this particular situation.” Plus regarding the applicant, “We’re here to give them the courtesy if they make a request through that application process.”

Commissioner Mark Wisenbaker wanted clarified that the main issue was the date issue. Alleged County Attorney G. Walter Elliott reminded them they have to vote to table (the Chairman cannot just unilaterally table).

Commissioner Demarcus Marshall wanted to know if the Planning Commission knew about the timing issue. Continue reading →

County rehab center vote invalid –Valdosta Daily Times 2022-09-12

Update 2022-09-13: GA Forestry, $3 million, redoing 2 rezonings, 3 extraterritorial water and sewer @ LCC 2022-09-12.

The newspaper of record reported on the unusual redo of a zoning decision by the Lowndes County Commission, noting the Commissioners did not follow the law in at least two ways.

But it did not say who discovered those infractions: the County Attorney? The County Planner? The Chairman who cast the tie-breaking vote? Somebody who sued or threatened to sue?

Want to dig into that question, VDT?

Meanwhile, the Commission will proceed with correcting its infractions in three agenda items this evening.

7.b. REZ-2022-10 The Campus Transitional Care Facility, 2193 Howell Rd 7.b. REZ-2022-10 The Campus Transitional Care Facility, 2193 Howell Rd
LAKE Video of the erroneous hearing and vote on June 16, 2022.

Malia Thomas, Valdosta Daily Times, September 12, 2022, County rehab center vote invalid,

VALDOSTA — The Lowndes County Commission will have to revisit a controversial rezoning decision in light of a discovery that the original vote was invalid due to a “failure to follow zoning procedures.”

On June 16, Continue reading →