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

  Video.

• Presentation to Mike Allen (former Utilities Director)

  Video.

• 4. Minutes for Approval

  Video.

• 6.a. GFOA Distinguished Budget Award

  Video.

• 5. Comment on proposed anti-chaining ordinance

  Video.

• 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

  Video.

• 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

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