Regular meeting of the Lowndes County Commission, 8 February 2011,
Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia.
Video by Gretchen Quarterman for LAKE, the Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange.
Regular meeting of the Lowndes County Commission, 8 February 2011,
Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia.
Video by Gretchen Quarterman for LAKE, the Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange.
Some of us did wonder when next thing was
Noll’s microphone went off.
But that was apparently just a technical failure, which continued
for a while during the meeting.
I commend Chairman Paulk for his recent civil and,
as Commissioner Lee used to say,
“adult-like manner.”
Local resident Nolen Cox says government grants are more addictive than drugs,
and “all the federal money is my tax money.”
He mentions federal debt, and lists only social programs.
Regarding grants, he’s specifically referring to a proposal to
accept a grant for NOAA weather radios, which we’ll come back to later.
His other topic is that he thinks we need more oil, more nuclear, and
biomass.
His recommendation:
“I would stop discusssing it.”
He thinks it’s like global warming, which he thinks is a lie.
He sums up:
Build the plant, employ people, get on with the program.
It’s interesting that these are about the best arguments biomass proponents have.
Perhaps he’s not aware that shutting off the debate was tried recently
and doesn’t seem to be working too well.
Here’s
the video.
Regular meeting of the Lowndes County Commission, 8 February 2011,
Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia.
Video by Gretchen Quarterman for LAKE, the Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange.
Deploying on a solar plant
does require a bit of legal work, and
the
attorney’s report
at the February VLCIA board meeting
mostly consisted of talk about completion of lease and sublease
agreements with Wiregrass Solar LLC.
What’s that, you may wonder, if you’re used to hearing about
Wiregrass Power LLC,
the shell corporation VLCIA contracted with for the biomass plant.
That one still exists,
but according to the Georgia Secretary of State’s office,
Wiregrass Solar LLC
was registered 19 May 2010.
The agent is the same as for the other shell cojmpany:
Tammi Cody, 3500 Parkway Lane Suite 500, Norcross GA 30092.
The agent county is given as Gwinnett.
Regular monthly meeting, Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority, VLCIA,
Norman Bennett, Roy Copeland, Tom Call, Mary Gooding, Jerry Jennett chairman,
J. Stephen Gupton attorney, Brad Lofton Executive Director,
Allan Ricketts Program Manager, 15 February 2011.
Videos by John S. Quarterman for LAKE, the Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange.
At the February VLCIA board meeting, Col. Ricketts said groundbreaking
for the solar plant is scheduled for February 21st with production
less than two months after that.
Here you can see his timeline slide.
It’s a bit hard to read, but he mentioned at least these items:
Site preparation starts 16 Feb 2011.
Groundbreaking Monday 21st Feb 2011.
Commissioning ceremony and turn the switch on Wednesday 16th April 2011.
Apparently deploying a solar plant takes a lot less time than some types of projects. You can watch and listen to his presentation:
Continue reading →
Dr. Noll
talks about air pollution and children.
He asks if the council thinks numerous medical associations and doctors
are lying to us.
Mayor Fretti asks if that’s a rhetorical question.
Dr. Noll indicates Rev. Rose and others seem quite disappointed
in lack of response.
Mayor Fretti falls back on process.
Regular meeting of the Valdosta City Council, 10 February 2011.
Video by Gretchen Quarterman for LAKE, the Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange.
Mayor Fretti
welcomes a VSU advanced journalism class,
as well as David Rodock of the VDT,
while Gretchen pans around the room.
Hm, advanced journalism: maybe they’d like to video events?
Regular meeting of the Valdosta City Council, 10 February 2011.
Video by Gretchen Quarterman for LAKE, the Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange.
“I came home to Valdosta in 1995, and I found just outside of these walls;
a plaque that read; the mayor and council shall make all appropriate
and necessary laws; for the control of slaves; and free men of color.
That plaque was removed reluctantly; at the urging of Mr. George Rhynes;
while the plaque; has been removed! I have discovered; that the policy
that gave birth to that plaque are still in place; and one of the policies
is the one that I told you about two weeks ago; or perhaps three weeks ago
now. That would not; and could not abide by; because it was designed only
for the purpose of controlling the citizens of this city and that I would
never be bought and I would never be bossed as a matter of conscience.
Now it was suggested; at the end of the last meeting; that some of us
come before you; ah making a grand stand; and somehow creating theater.
It was suggested that Floyd Rose just wants to be arrested. I have been
arrested before; I spent twenty-five long hours in solitary confinement
in the Lowndes County Jail; because of you; and anybody with any common
sense; would never want to go to the Lowndes County Jail to spend
any time. That is foolishness and it’s crazy!
Regular meeting of the Valdosta City Council, 20 February 2011
Video by Gretchen Quarterman for LAKE, the Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange.