County Hears from Citizens

Jasper County Commissioners opened a scheduled public hearing on the proposed new Construction and Demolition (C&D) site with no introduction or explanation of exactly what the hearing was about.

It has been advertised, and was worded on the agenda in legal terms, leading to some confusion. However, many residents did comment, and were clear on what they were talking about.

Opening the public comments was a local roofer, John Smalling. He said it is “absolutely necessary” to have a C&D landfill or at least a transfer station locally.
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He said previous commissioners were able to provide the service, and that he hopes these commissioners can find a way to continue the service.

Another roofer, Jeff Smith, echoed Mr. Smalling’s sentiments. He explained the problems with having to haul C&D material further, and said he really hoped Jasper County would continue to have a C&D landfill. He said he’d being willing to pay extra here for the convenience.

As it is now, the county has a C&D landfill. However, it is approaching capacity, and the hearings are to consider permitting a new “trench” which would be a 14-acre tract.

Tate Turner of Hillsboro, a former County Commissioner, said “we’re looking for industry …you have to have something to offer.” He went on to say, “the county owes its citizens a right to have a place to put trash.”

He also told them that as commissioners they can’t violate their ordinance and reminded them of the current renovation project under way at the Courthouse. He suggested it would cost the county additional money to haul its debris to another county’s landfill.

Mr. Turner suggested the county move forward with permitting the new site. He said the dirt that would be excavated for the trench could be used to cover the existing sanitary landfill. The Environmental Protection Division, Department of Natural Resources, (EPD) has very specific guidelines for closing a sanitary landfill.

Mr. Turner said the dirt in the area that would be excavated has already been approved by EPD to be suitable to be used in capping the sanitary landfill.

Mr. Turner said, “We need a C&D landfill, and I think it would be a bargain.

Jerry Hackbarth, a resident from the lake area of the county, questioned the commissioners on how much money had been spent on engineers for this landfill. He referred to an advertisement in last week’s Monticello News put together by the Taxpayer’s Watchdog Group. The ad said the county had had four different engineering firms in less than three years. It questioned the commissioners intent.

Commission Chairman Russell Bennett said the numbers used in the advertisement were not accurate. When asked why the county changed from a lesser-priced engineering firm to a more expensive one, Mr. Bennett said, “we didn’t get satisfactory service.”

Mr. Hackbarth asked if the county had a plan yet after having all these engineering firms do work. Mr. Bennett said the county had to have a site suitability study done and conduct three public hearings before a site may be permitted.

Crawford Ezell asked the commissioners, “how can we make comments if we don’t have any information. Do you have any cost figures?”
Mr. Bennett said the county owns the land, and County Administrator Phil Peevy said they have a cost estimate on engineering but not on the actual work.

Commissioner Greg Wyatt answered Mr. Ezell, saying, “that’s a question we’re all asking. Estimates are from $300,000 to $1 million. Mr. Wyatt stressed his desire to continue to operate a landfill, if it can be done at least at a break-even point.

Mr. Ezell said, “until you present a plan or several plans to the public, we cannot effectively comment on what to do.” He went on to say a few minutes later, “We’re still running in circles. You must put a proposal out, then we can comment on it.

Bernie Fontaine, former county administrator, said, “I find this conversation very interesting.” He told the commissioners they need somebody with expertise in this area to look at all the information and make a presentation that the citizens can understand.

Commissioner Carl Pennamon said there were things that needed to be cleared up. The first one, he said, is the situation with Georgia-Pacific. Before the EPD stopped them, Georgia-Pacific was paying about $20,000 a month in fees to dump at the C&D landfill.

The EPD has said that the county can take the Ga.-Pacific waste, but the company and commissioners are reluctant to until the future landfill issue is resolved.

Mr. Pennamon then said “Do we want to continue to operate a C&D landfill? What is the cost to taxpayers; what is the revenue.

Dr. Jean Walter, Extension Service director, offered the services of a University researcher who could come in and go through the available information, and try to help the commissioners make a decision.

The hearing lasted more than an hour during the regular commission meeting.

Commissioners also heard from Mrs. Mary Patrick. She reminded the commissioners she had presented them with some information at a previous meeting, and wanted to know what their reaction as.

Right as the public hearing was starting, the Rev. Grady Fuller stood up and in an outburst, complained about his Constitutional rights being violated. He was referring to the mobile home that is sitting by Callie Fuller Church. Dr. Fuller has been summoned to Magistrate Court. He said the whole congregation will be there. He asked does the county or the state have the authority to usurp the Constitution of the United States.

Earlier in the meeting, Mrs. Mary Patrick, chairman of the Taxpayers Watchdog Group, addressed the commissioners about concerns she had raised last month. She said you’ve had time to review the information, and she wanted to know if what she presented was satisfactory, or did they have any questions. No commissioner made a comment.

Mr. Peevy commented that in a sense the information was correct, but in a sense it was not. “We’re dealing with two different fiscal years,” he said.

Mrs. Patrick also invited all the commissioners to the Taxpayers Watchdog Group meeting.

Dr. Walter questioned the commissioners as to why the Extension Service was singled out to not get annual raises. Pat Standifer got her raise, she said, but the Extension secretary and Dr. Walter did not. She said it was the first time the Extension Service had been excluded from the annual, raises. Carl Pennamon made the motion to give them their approved raises if they did not get one.

Dr. Walter talked about the food composting that is being coordinated through her office. She said we are the first county in the United States to have a three-prong food composting practice. The Older Americans Council, Washington Park School, and Piedmont Academy each have a composting site.

She also said she is working with distance diagnostics in the Honduras. She said this is the first time the UGA distance diagnostics have left the country.

Commissioners agreed to add several items to the surplus items list to be auctioned off by Kelly Land & Auction on June 14. The commissioners said they had not yet heard from the sheriff so voted to include whatever the sheriff wanted included.

There was much discussion about maintenance and mechanic work at the Public Works Department. Mr. Peevy was instructed to send a letter telling the employes they are expected to keep up routine maintenance on the equipment they operate.

Commissioner Jerry Crow brought up a piece of equipment that was not running because there was no grease in the gear box. Commissioner Charles Hill said he thought Nancy [Hare] was keeping maintenance records on the equipment at the Public Works Department.

Commissioners agreed to prepare Pitts Chapel Road for paving. The commissioners voted 4-1 for the project. Commissioner Hill voted against the motion, presumably because he would like to see the work done on Deerfield Farms Road instead. He said it was almost ready for paving, they just need to get a few more rights of way.

They agreed to discuss applications for the Public Works Director job at the next meeting. They also discussed compensation for Larry Thurman, the acting public works director.
County attorney W. Dan Roberts said he had filed an appeal on the sales ratio study with the department of audits.