Solar is cost-effective —Dr. Noll @ LCC 13 September 2011

Dr. Noll made the case for the cost-effectiveness of solar energy through, among other things, an analogy to finaninc buying a car.

First Dr. Noll thanked people who had supported WACE’s anti-biomass work, and hoped people had had time to read his recent LTE in the VDT, Waste Not, Want Not. Then he addressed Commissioner Raines’ comments of the previous day. Dr. Noll pointed out that solar is fast becoming less expensive and with financing costs little more than a car or truck.

Here’s the video:


Solar is cost-effective —Dr. Noll @ LCC 13 September 2011
Regular Session, Lowndes County Commission (LCC),
Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, 13 September 2011.
Videos by Gretchen Quarterman for LAKE, the Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange.

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The Exit Strategy —Dan Bremer @ LCC 13 September 2011

Dan Bremer of the Lake Park Chamber of Commerce talked about their Exit Strategy, which encourages drives to exit I-75 and spend money in Lowndes County. He thanked two Lowndes County employees. And he asked for some use of a prison detail for cleanup before events in south Lowndes.

Here’s the video:


The Exit Strategy —Dan Bremer @ LCC 13 September 2011
Regular Session, Lowndes County Commission (LCC),
Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, 13 September 2011.
Videos by Gretchen Quarterman for LAKE, the Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange.

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Gov. Deal in Valdosta right now tomorrow

A little birdie tells me this is his schedule for today tomorrow. -jsq
7:30 Breakfast at the Quitman-Brooks Co. Museum & Cultural Center (202 North Culpepper Street, Quitman)
8:00 Walk across the street to Brooks Co. Courthouse to have a skillet contest and media opportunity (Brooks Co. Skillet Festival is the next day – Saturday, September 17 <96> a kickoff for the festival)
8:30 Depart Brooks Co., travel to Wiregrass Georgia Technical College (4089 Val-Tech Road, Valdosta)
9:00 Arrive WGTC, tour for one hour
10:00 Depart WGTC, travel to South Georgia Medical Center (2501 North Patterson Street, Valdosta)
10:15 Arrive SGMC, tour for 45 minutes
11:00 Depart SGMC, travel to Valdosta State University Nursing Building (1500 North Patterson Street, Valdosta)
11:15 Tour VSU Nursing Building
11:35 Walk across street to VSU University Center for lunch/presentation
11:45 — 1:15 Luncheon, VSU University Center
Continue reading →

Community Calendar —Jane F. Osborn 14 September 2011

Received today. -jsq So the latest update (14 August 2011) is online for the community calendar produced by Jane F. Osborn who organizes the Valdosta Civic Roundtable. She wrote:
…the calendar is not produced for civic roundtable, it is just a project of mine for the many counties that lost a source of information when 2-1-1 was discontinued.
LAKE will attempt to remember to update new ones in this web page as Miss Jane sends them. We hope you, dear readers, will remind us if we don’t.

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Georgia open records law revision

There seems to be disagreement about access to open records in civil suits, regarding changes Attorney General Sam Olens proposes to Georgia’s Open Records Act. There are other issues, as well.

Jim Galloway wrote for the AJC on 1 Sep 2011, Sam Olens, Mike Bowers at odds over change to Open Records Act,

At issue is House Bill 397, which was drafted by Olens and received its first public hearing at the state Capitol this week. One provision in the bill would prohibit those who file lawsuits against state or local governments from using the Open Records Act to obtain records for use in court.
Bowers has successfully used open records to win a lawsuit on behalf of fired librarians. The proposed law would prevent such uses. Olens said:
“What we’re trying to do is incorporate past judicial decisions so we’re all on the same page,” Olens said. “When you’re suing the government, you should have no other advantage that you would when you’re suing a private party.”

The current Georgia sunshine law has two parts: open records and open meetings. Continue reading →

Ordinance for no reason, not on the agenda, and not read to the public @ LCC 13 September 2011

This is what the Lowndes County Commission wasted tax dollars on yesterday evening: an ordinance not on the agenda, not read to the public, still not on the county’s online list of ordinances, and for no stated purpose. We can guess from Commissioner Raines’ remarks that it has something to do with videoing and photographing. Maybe it has something to do with the previous day’s outburst by Ashley Paulk aimed at a specific individual. Who knows? None of the public who came to that meeting know. That’s what passes for transparent government in Lowndes County, Georgia.

Here’s the video:


Ordinance for no reason, not on the agenda, and not read to the public @ LCC 13 September 2011
Regular Session, Lowndes County Commission (LCC),
Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, 13 September 2011.
Videos by Gretchen Quarterman for LAKE, the Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange.

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Solar for Georgia —Bill Branham @ LCC 12 September 2011

William Branham talked about solar initiatives he’s involved in and a variety of public officials he’s talked to who are positive on solar and renewable energy for generating jobs. He pointed out that solar grew faster than any other energy source. He mentioned the Chamber’s Renewable and Sustainable Energy Network (of which I am also a member).

After Branham spoke, Commissioner Raines cited one solar company that had failed together with financing concerns and indicated he didn’t think it was time for solar here.

I don’t agree with Commissioner Raines. What do you think?

Here’s the video:


Solar for Georgia —Bill Branham @ LCC 12 September 2011
Work Session, Lowndes County Commission (LCC),
Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, 12 September 2011.
Videos by John S. Quarterman for LAKE, the Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange.

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Revenue Disbursement Summary —Mary Nell Robertson

At a talk she did last night at the Lowndes County Democratic Party (LCDP) (videos of that will follow later), I asked Mary Nell Robertson, Tax Commissioner for Lowndes County, Georgia, how much taxes went to each organization. She said she didn’t have that with her, but would send it. Here it is:

Click on the link to see the entire table, including the “Disburse Total” column on the right. Continue reading →

Ashley Paulk’s Greatest Hits!

No, not every intemperate outburst! We can’t be everywhere. Just the outstanding ones from the podium as chairman in County Commission meetings.

Ashley Paulk is code enforcement

Citizens were opposing a rezoning on Old Pine Road, 8 June 2010. A Mr. Mulligan of Bemiss Road wanted to know who does code enforcement. Chairman Paulk responded:
You’re looking at him. Me.

I locked up some of my best friends!

While he was interrogating Dr. Noll 12 January 2011 who had the temerity to come to invite the Commission to a meeting, Ashley Paulk remarked:
“I was the sheriff sixteen years; I locked up some of my best friends; that’s the way I operate.”
This was shortly after he said: Continue reading →

8. For Consideration – 2011-2012 Prison Detail Contract @ LCC 12 Sep 2011

Three prison work details, one will be assigned to School board or runoff; the other two to road maintenance and public parks, for $39,500 per detail.

Commissioner Powell wondered about the start date, total hours per year, etc., and those questions were clarified by staff (about 200 days per year depending on weather).

It seems like a great opportunity and a great deal for us. Is three crews enough to do what we need to accomplish, or is there an additional need for an additional crew.
Answer by Chairman and staff: no more are available.

Nobody questioned whether using prisoners for cheap was a good idea when there are many people out of work around town.

Here’s the video:


8. For Consideration – 2011-2012 Prison Detail Contract @ LCC 12 Sep 2011
Work Session, Lowndes County Commission (LCC),
Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, 12 September 2011.
Videos by John S. Quarterman for LAKE, the Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange.

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