Town Hall Meeting Showcases Services

Most county departments, and the city of Monticello, set up displays and had people available to discuss their respective duties at an open house and town hall meeting held Tuesday at the Visitor’s’ Center on the Square.

The event was hosted by the Monticello-Jasper County Chamber of Commerce, and Jim Dove of the Northeast Regional Commission facilitated the town hall meeting portion.

Mr. Dove addressed the questions to the group assembled, which included County Commission Chairman Gene Trammell and Commissioners Carl Pennamon, Bruce henry, and Doug Luke, as well as Monticello Mayor Bryan Standifer, Mayor Pro-Tem Bobby Jacobs, and Councilwoman Katherine Alexander, and Councilman David Wease.

The first question was what efforts are being made to encourage young people to be active in the community.

Mayor Standifer said being active with the school system is a great way to reach the young people. Chairman Trammell said that we heave a great recreation department, and we are actively pursuing new industry. The young people don’t have anywhere to work, he said, so they are trying to remedy that.

Commissioner Luke complimented Kasey Hall and the 4-H program as a way to get youth involved, and pointed to the fact 4-H’ers were at the forum.

Commissioner Pennamon said getting the children active in church though youth ministry is often a way to start. He said his church is working with the youth to get them involved, and feels it will branch out to the community.

The mayor then turned the tables and asked the public gathered what they should do.

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School Supt. Mike Newton mentioned how successful the internship program had been last year, and Sheriff Donnie Pope agreed.

Then the sheriff told of a new Explorer program the sheriff’s office is offering. Jim Stansell heading up the initiative, and the sheriff said it was a good way to harvest local talent. He also talked about how even though a person may make more money up the road, it is a service to serve in your own community.

The next question was for the city officials. Elections are coming up in November. What good things are on the horizon? Mr. Jacobs said that they finally got the city in the black and that is a great thing. He said they could now do things that are needed that they couldn’t before. Mr. Dove, said so you’re proactive not reactive.

The other council people agreed, and the mayor said we need continued camaraderie between all elected entities in the county, that it is important to say as one. Georgia-Pacific leaving was a big blow, but we had weathered it. He said that we can agree to disagree, without being uncivil.

He said it takes all entities to move the community forward. He referred to the Forward Jasper group that meets quarterly to try to keep the dialogue going.

Mr. Dove then asked about working together. Chairman Trammell said the county had taken over policing duties for the city.

Commissioner Pennamon said we need to look back at House Bill 489 and renegotiate the service delivery strategy, since the county is carrying the burden for many services.

The mayor mentioned the good things happening like the Norton plant, and the new wood flooring plant gong in.

Commissioner Pennamon then mentioned how much the county will benefit from Baxter Industrial and other industries that go in at Stanton Springs.

Commissioner Henry said it sometimes take 10 years to reap the rewards of your efforts, but the effort must be made now to develop blueprint for the future.

Commissioner Luke asked for more input from the general public.

Commissioner Pennamon said that sometimes people put trust in the individuals they elect to office, and believe they will do their best to represent them.

Chairman Trammell said the county is gong to grow, “we can plan for it or not.” He talked about green industries, and said you may not recognize the area in 20 years.

A gentleman in the audience commented on how the elected officials were concernd about the community, and were collaborating. He said you care bout people, and gave them accolades for having this type meeting.

When asked about the number one issue they are facing, the overall consensus for the city was utilities. The mayor explained they are in a 20- year contact with MEAG, and have to buy the electricity they are committed to, even though the city’s population decreased.

For the county, the answer was roads, taxes, infrastructure, and the landfill.