JONES COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
The Jones County Board of Commissioners kept its meeting brief but still managed to address important issues for county residents.
The Oct. 17 meeting was called to order by Board Chairman Chris Weidner. The opening prayer and pledge were led by Debra Hall with the Kingdom Building Outreach Ministries Intercessory Network.
All commissioners were in attendance at the meeting.
The first item of New Business was a grant application for the Clinton Nature Trail. Middle Georgia Regional Commission Director Laura Mathis introduced Community Development Specialist Matt Ingram, who will be working with the county on the grant application.
Ingram explained that the first requirement was a board resolution to start the process with a pre-application. He said that application is due Nov. 1.
The nature trail in Clinton would showcase the historic Clinton tan yard. Ingram explained that the grant request would be for $200,000 and require a 20 percent match from the county.
Commissioner Sam Kitchens said he fully supported the project and made the motion to approve the resolution. The motion passed with a unanimous vote.
County Administrator Jason Rizner presented an ACCG Equipment Finance Resolution. He stated a better rate was found to fund the purchase of three tractors with mowing attachments previously approved by the commissioners.
Kitchens made the motion to approve the funding resolution, and it was approved unanimously.
The commissioner brought the next item of business, which was a resolution to support an ACCG Mental Health Resolution.
Kitchens noted that the state had closed mental health facilities several years back, which has led to a lack of mental health treatment options in the state. The resolution would add Jones County to the ACCG effort to get all 159 counties requesting help for the state to address the resulting mental health crisis.
The commissioner said 43 counties have already joined the effort. He made a motion to approve the resolution, and the vote to approve was unanimous.
Citizens comments
Lashonda Whipple of Mountain Springs Road asked the commissioners to address ongoing issues with the road. She said speeders throw the gravel, and busts windshields of other cars on the road.
Whipple said there are constant ripples on the road and when it rains, it is the perfect recipe for mud bogging and four-wheelers.
“This is a total disgrace,” she said. “It’s ridiculous county citizens have to deal with this. I’m pleading with you to help us.”
The speaker added that most residents on the road are on wells and don’t ask much from the county.
Board members discussed the issues brought up by Whipple. Commissioner Wendy Vaughn said she drives buses on the road and understands the problem.
“When the washboard effect starts, it’s hard to fix,” Vaughn said.
Commissioner Daylon Martin said he was in touch with Public Works Director Shaun Wood, and the solution to the problem sounds like ripping the road to the bottom.
Commissioner John Wood said doing that would depend on the weather, and Kitchens asked the public works director to give board members a plan of action.
The next speaker was Evelyn Hill, who thanked Commissioner Wood for speed breakers installed in Haddock and for the grant for the Haddock Park playground. She asked if Wood had a date for the town hall. The commissioner suggested seeking community input about what is needed in the playground.
Wood said he is looking at the second week of November, but he needed to get with Parks and Recreation Director Bert Rosenberger.
Hill said she has been talking to people in the community about the meeting.
A resident of Bethune Avenue spoke to the commissioners about a problem with an auto paint and body shop operating in the residential neighborhood. She said the fumes are so bad the residents of the neighborhood cannot go outside.
The speaker said the business has been given citations but continues to operate, shutting down when officials come by to check. County Attorney Ashley Brodie suggested the complainant find out when those citations will come up in court and be there to make sure the judge is aware of the gravity of the situation.
Brodie said it would take an injunction from the court to shut the business down.
Weidner said he is aware of the complaints, and county code enforcement officer Tiffany Davis has been working on it.
Martin said the business is obviously operating where it should not be, and he would also be looking into to it.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
The next meeting of the Board of Commissioners is scheduled Nov. 7.
