Keep Lowndes/Valdosta Beautiful, Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia,
16 April 2011.
Video by Gretchen Quarterman for LAKE, the Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange.
Every time Frank Barnas asks
one of you representatives
while you all are on that radio broadcast,
he gets answers.
So many people who come before the city council who have answers
don’t get answers.
Regular monthly meeting of the Valdosta City Council (VCC),
Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, 7 April 2011,
Videos by Gretchen Quarterman for LAKE, the Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange.
You know, when Roy Taylor
and
George Rhynes,
about as far apart on the political spectrum as two people can get,
think there’s something wrong with your council,
maybe it’s worth thinking about.
George Boston Rhynes said he had recently been to a Brooks County Commission
meeting and there was a lot of actual dialog.
He said here in Lowndes County is the only place he’s seen the kind
of refusal to answer questions he’d just observed earlier in this same
Valdosta City Council meeting.
d. Consideration of an Ordinance to rezone 0.75 acres from
Single-Family Residential (R10) to Single-Family Residential
(R-6) as requested by Martha Rock, represented by Ken Garren
(File No. VA-2011-07). The property is located at 1 Brookwood
Circle. The Planning Commission did not review this request at
their March Regular Meeting because the case had been
withdrawn.
e.
Consideration of an Ordinance for a Conditional Use Permit for
a townhouse (SingleFamily Attached) development in a
Single-Family Residential (R-6) Zoning District as requested
by Martha Rock, represented by Ken Garren (File No.
CU-2011-02). The property is located at 1 Brookwood Circle.
The Planning Commission did not review this request at their
March Regular Meeting because the case had been withdrawn.
f. Consideration of a request to change the name of a portion of
Jackson Street Lane to Bivins Lane.
I’m pretty sure this is the picture Robert Hall showed the Valdosta City Council.
He was showing it to VDT reporter David Rodock outside before the meeting.
It’s not a pretty picture, which I think was part of his point.
He said he was also exposed to dioxin in Vietnam, and continues
to suffer several medical consequences.
5.c) Consideration of an Ordinance for Text Amendments to the Land Development
Regulations (LDR) for Section 106-1(C), Definitions, and Section 218-13 (TTT)
Temporary Use – Commercial Retail as requested by the City of Valdosta (File No. VA2011-04). The Planning Commission reviewed this request at their March Regular
Meeting and recommended approval (8-0 vote).
The mayor prefaced a comment that he’s read (apparently in this blog)
that he’s been criticized for not paying attention while people are speaking.
He clarified that he’s often taking notes.
Then Dr. Mark P. George spoke, wondering when people would get answers
to their more substantive questions.
I have an attorney.
These folks have an attorney.
He’s sitting right there.
Dr. Mark P. George @ VCC 7 April 2011 Part 1 of 3:
Regular monthly meeting of the Valdosta City Council (VCC),
Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, 7 April 2011,
Videos by Gretchen Quarterman for LAKE, the Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange.
Dr. George amplified the not paying attention comments
by adding in body language,
and saying he did appreciate taking notes.
He asked if the meeting is recorded.
Mayor Fretti answered yes.
Dr. George remarked:
It seems to me you are now cloaking the lack of response
in legalities.
…
Legality does not equal morality.
Council Sonny Vickers remarked that he
already told everyone he is for the biomass plant.
Dr. George recommended conversation,
following up on new information.
The mayor asked Dr. George to wrap up.
Dr. George responded:
Dr. Mark P. George @ VCC 7 April 2011 Part 2 of 3:
Regular monthly meeting of the Valdosta City Council (VCC),
Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, 7 April 2011,
Videos by Gretchen Quarterman for LAKE, the Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange.
More back and forth between Dr. George and the mayor
about how or whether or when he or somebody might answer
questions, followed by interchange between Dr. George
and the audience.
One of LAKE’s intrepid investigative teams managed to get an appointment
to visit the Lowndes County Courthouse Owl.
John S. Quarterman answers the question: how much does the owl weigh?
Here’s
the video.
Visiting the Lowndes County Courthouse Owl, Lowndes County, Georgia, 14 April 2011.
Video by Gretchen Quarterman for LAKE, the Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange.
