As
announced at the Lowndes County Commission meeting on Tuesday,
the new county website was available this morning. I took a little
self tour and then started sending in comments to County Clerk Paige
Dukes. Paige has been responsive in answering my questions and
comments and I heartily suggest to everyone that you take a look
around and then send in your comments.
A few things I’ve noticed so far. Continue reading
Go away, Sabal Trail:
NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved that the City of Valdosta supports the Lowndes County Board of Commissioners in their opposition to the construction of the Sabal Trail pipeline in any portion of Lowndes County. The City’s support includes concerns with fundamental property rights, the manner in which eminent domain might be utilized, and the lack of demonstrated benefit to the City and County. Furthermore, the City of Valdosta supports the Lowndes County Commission in their formal request to the Federal Energy Regulation Commission (FERC), and to State and Federal Legislators in the effort to have Lowndes County and the State of Georgia bypassed in the construction of the proposed pipeline.
Here is Continue reading
The resolution against the Sabal Trail pipeline, including to be filed with FERC, was
passed 6 to 1 by the Valdosta City Council Thursday 11 December 2014,
supporting
the resolution the Lowndes County Commission passed unanimously Tuesday,
plus
a clause about protecting our drinking water in the Floridan Aquifer; see
separate post.
John Robinson
thanked the city for a VSEB contract.
The
personal care home rezoning passed.
The
taxicab ordinance was deferred (not all cab company owners had been consulted yet), while two others passed.
Also
some bids rejected
while
others
were
approved,
a reappointment of
Tom Kurrie to the Valdosta Housing Authority,
and
recognized
employee of the month Terrial Small.
Here’s the agenda. For background, see the videos of the Tuesday Work Session, including a bomb report by Police Chief Childress. The videos from the Thursday Regular Session are linked below, followed by a video playlist.
Continue reading
The Valdosta City Council
discussed
a
resolution against the Sabal Trail pipeline
at their Work Session Tuesday, as you can see in these videos.
Come see them vote on it tonight at 5:30 PM
at City Hall.
They also heard a bomb report at the Work Session, in addition to discussing all the other business, especially the taxicab ordinance.
At the same time Tuesday, the Lowndes County Commission unanimously Continue reading
The vote was unanimous for
the resolution against the Sabal Trail pipeline
at the Lowndes County Commission Tuesday,
to be followed tonight by the Valdosta City Council voting on
their resolution of support for Lowndes County against Sabal Trail,
including
an additional clause about protecting our drinking water in the Floridan Aquifer.
This follows a long string of
county and city resolutions against that unnecessary,
destructive, and hazardous pipeline boondoggle.
Speaking of boondoggles, Continue reading
Water matters, too, said a comment yesterday on We all live in Lowndes County: Valdosta Draft Resolution Against Sabal Trail Pipeline @ VCC 2014-12-09. The Valdosta City Council votes tonight at 5:30 PM on this resolution. And don’t forget to get your comments or motions to intervene to FERC before the deadline of 24 December 2014. -jsq
Many thanks to Tim Carroll for adding the part about this important environmental issue which affects everyone in the city of Valdosta and Lowndes County as well. This is not just about the property rights of a few concerned citizens although those are important as well and demand protection from elected politicians.
–Don Thieme
He concluded, “There’s nothing beneficial to the state of Georgia in this pipeline.”
Some Commissioners had never heard of Sabal Trail:
now they have, from local resident Alton Paul Burns,
at their
9 December 2014 Thomas County Commission Regular Session,
and they know it could come right through Thomasville.
Discussing among themselves, one Commissioner remarked that the pipeline wouldn’t go through her place, but it was still a concern, and they should ask Sabal Trail to come explain themselves.
Later, Continue reading
The
Sabal Trail pipeline
and
probation payments were
major issues at the Thomas County Commission 9AM Tuesday 9 December 2014.
Sheriff R. Carlton Powell noted that private probation company
Sentinel, which he said serves Lowndes County, was involved in
several lawsuits.
Here’s the agenda, and below are links to the videos, followed by a video playlist.
Continue reading
They called
a special election to fill the unexpired term
of Sandy Sherrill, who had resigned unexpectedly,
plus
a referendum for Sunday off-premisses liquor sales,
at the Lake Park City City Council Regular Session of 2 December 2014.
They amended the
2014 budget
and adopted a
2015 budget.
More than half an hour on a presentation about
water meters.
Professional therapy, including massage therapy, at the location
being rezoned for Keith Sandlin in
rezoning
LP-2014-10-20.
The
Planning Commission 24 November 2014,
previously unanimously recommended approval.
The Lake Park City Council voted 2 for 1 against, so it passed.
And they had direct reports by
Police,
Fire/Rescure,
and
Maintenance,
since they don’t have a city manager.
They appointed an additional member to the
cemetery committee.
They discussed
executive sessions being each time a choice
and participants in executive sessions not being bound to secrecy,
the real test being not violating the public trust.
Here’s the agenda, and below are the videos, followed by a video playlist. Continue reading
Last night, while the Lowndes County Commission
unanimously approved
their
resolution against the Sabal Trail fracked methane pipeline,
the Valdosta City Council
discussed a supporting resolution at its Work Session.
Council Tim Carroll
said Valdosta had added
a clause about the Floridan Aquifer.
Council Robert Yost said he didn’t think such a resolution was something
the City of Valdosta should be doing, and he would not vote Thursday.
No other Council members expressed any reservations.
Council Sonny Vickers said he thought it was worth doing to show unity.
Mayor John Gayle remarked, “We all live in Lowndes County.” Continue reading