The room was packed as
the Chairman commented on
Dr. Amanda Hall’s proposal
for an
anti-tethering ordinance,
as did
four citizens
(realtor Alan Canup,
veterinarian Jeff Creamer,
LCDP Chairman Tom Hochschild,
and
Carol Kellerman),
plus
Chairman Slaughter again.
Citizen
Frenchie DePasture
commented on trash,
at Tuesday evening’s Regular Session of the Lowndes County Commission.
Mike Allen, Utilities Director until last Friday,
got an offer he couldn’t refuse from Hilton Head, South Carolina
and
a presentation from County Manager Joe Pritchard.
Finance Director Stephanie Black
read from the agenda
about
a budget award (or
passing grade) received by Lowndes County for the ninth year in a row,
as one of 1400 awardees this year.
No rezonings, but
surplus computing devices,
abandonment of
Deloach Road E (CR 95),
more on the
never-ending juvenile justice Evidence Based Associates topic,
Workers Compensation Insurance Renewal,
an
Intergovernmental Agreement for a Public Safety Radio System Upgrade
between Valdosta and Lowndes County,
and
sewer gasses corrode manhole covers. I wonder how much gases
corrode pipelines?
See the agenda
and
the videos of Monday morning’s Work Session.
Videos from Tuesday evening are linked below, followed by a video playlist.
The county’s own videos are still not up
on the county’s website as of this writing.
-
1. Call to Order 2. Invocation 3. Pledge
-
Presentation to Mike Allen (former Utilities Director)
-
4. Minutes for Approval
-
6.a. GFOA Distinguished Budget Award
-
5. Comment on proposed anti-chaining ordinance
-
6.b. Declaration Of Surplus Items – Aircards And Cellular Phones
Video.
The surplus items mostly don’t work, so staff wants to get rid of them. -
6.c. Abandonment Of Deloach Road E (CR 95)
Video.
Adjoining property owners asked for it to be abandoned.Commissioner Demarcus Marshall wanted to be sure people don’t put up
gates or fences prior to an official process of abandonment.
County Engineer Mike Fletcher said they could do that.
Public Works Director Robin Cumbus said she had looked for gates and had
found some on roads that were already closed, but not on this road.
Chairman Slaughter said the point had been made that anybody who
put a gate across a public road would have an issue with Public Works.Comissioner Mark Wisenbaker move to abandon, and Marshall seconded,
when County Manager Joe Pritchard reminded them they actually needed
to call for a public hearing.
County Attorney G. Walter Elliott explained further Commissioners could
determine either:
that the road has ceased to be used and no public purpose is served,
or the removal of the road from the public road system is in the interests
of the public.
Well, they could also determine either.Wisenbaker amended his motion to the Attorney’s second alternative.
Marshall seconded.
All aye. -
6.d. Evidence Based Associates Agreement For Service
Video.
Commissioner Joyce Evans spoke (!) to thank Emergency Director Ashley Tye
for doing this, and to make a motion, which was seconded and unanimously approved. -
6.e. Workers Compensation Insurance Renewal
Video.
Kevin Beal said they participate in an ACCG program, and outlined various details. -
6.f. Intergovernmental Agreement – Public Safety Radio System Upgrade
-
7. Bids a. Manhole Rehabilitation
Video.
Radney low bid won. -
8. Reports – County Manager
Video.
No report. -
9. CWTBH – Alan Canup
Video.
As a Realtor he rides around numerous subdivisions, and sees two kinds
of dog owners:
(1) owners that tie up a dog while they’re there, because they have no fenced yard,
and (2) owners that leave a dog tied up outside with nobody there, no food, no water.
The latter kind can cause an insurer to cancel insurance due to liability.
And he’s lost many a rental due to a tethered dog next door.
He recommends that an adult be required to be with the dog if it’s tethered. -
9. CWTBH – Jeff Creamer
Video.
As a veterinarian, he sees very poorly socialized patients, and
those dogs are more likely to bite, are seldom seen unless they’re in dire need,
often have parasites, and sometimes have collars embedded that require
surgicial removal because they’ve been left tied up so long.
Tied up dogs also get chewed up by other dogs because they can’t escape.
Numerous professional veterinary associations have statements that
oppose tethering.
He said Lowndes County considers itself progressive, with its
fancy public buildings and sheriff’s vehicles, so maybe it should
do something about tethering. -
9. CWTBH – SW (Frenchie) DePasture
Video.
He’s called ADS multiple times about an “extremely bad” trash situation,
and has gotten no reply “in no shape or form”. -
9. CWTBH – Tom Hochschild
Video.
Pet owner and Chairman of the Lowndes County Democratic Party
thanked Dr. Amanda Hall and the other supporters of the proposed
anti-tethering ordinance, also noting the tax burden of tethering. -
9. CWTBH – Carol Kellerman
Video.
She never saw a dog on a chain that wouldn’t run away if it had a chance. -
10. Meeting Adjournment
Video.
Chairman Bill Slaughter said he understood citizen concerns about pets
and the Commission had tough decisions which required them to look
at all concerns.
Here’s
a video playlist:
Videos: Mike Allen, Anti-Tethering, Budget, Surplus, Abandonment, Evidence, Workers Comp, Manhole
Regular Session, Lowndes County Commission (LCC),
Video by Gretchen Quarterman for Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange (LAKE),
Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, 27 January 2015.
-jsq