George Boston Rhynes said he had recently been to a Brooks County Commission
meeting and there was a lot of actual dialog.
He said here in Lowndes County is the only place he’s seen the kind
of refusal to answer questions he’d just observed earlier in this same
Valdosta City Council meeting.
d. Consideration of an Ordinance to rezone 0.75 acres from
Single-Family Residential (R10) to Single-Family Residential
(R-6) as requested by Martha Rock, represented by Ken Garren
(File No. VA-2011-07). The property is located at 1 Brookwood
Circle. The Planning Commission did not review this request at
their March Regular Meeting because the case had been
withdrawn.
e.
Consideration of an Ordinance for a Conditional Use Permit for
a townhouse (SingleFamily Attached) development in a
Single-Family Residential (R-6) Zoning District as requested
by Martha Rock, represented by Ken Garren (File No.
CU-2011-02). The property is located at 1 Brookwood Circle.
The Planning Commission did not review this request at their
March Regular Meeting because the case had been withdrawn.
f. Consideration of a request to change the name of a portion of
Jackson Street Lane to Bivins Lane.
I’m pretty sure this is the picture Robert Hall showed the Valdosta City Council.
He was showing it to VDT reporter David Rodock outside before the meeting.
It’s not a pretty picture, which I think was part of his point.
He said he was also exposed to dioxin in Vietnam, and continues
to suffer several medical consequences.
5.c) Consideration of an Ordinance for Text Amendments to the Land Development
Regulations (LDR) for Section 106-1(C), Definitions, and Section 218-13 (TTT)
Temporary Use – Commercial Retail as requested by the City of Valdosta (File No. VA2011-04). The Planning Commission reviewed this request at their March Regular
Meeting and recommended approval (8-0 vote).
The mayor prefaced a comment that he’s read (apparently in this blog)
that he’s been criticized for not paying attention while people are speaking.
He clarified that he’s often taking notes.
Then Dr. Mark P. George spoke, wondering when people would get answers
to their more substantive questions.
I have an attorney.
These folks have an attorney.
He’s sitting right there.
Dr. Mark P. George @ VCC 7 April 2011 Part 1 of 3:
Regular monthly meeting of the Valdosta City Council (VCC),
Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, 7 April 2011,
Videos by Gretchen Quarterman for LAKE, the Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange.
Dr. George amplified the not paying attention comments
by adding in body language,
and saying he did appreciate taking notes.
He asked if the meeting is recorded.
Mayor Fretti answered yes.
Dr. George remarked:
It seems to me you are now cloaking the lack of response
in legalities.
…
Legality does not equal morality.
Council Sonny Vickers remarked that he
already told everyone he is for the biomass plant.
Dr. George recommended conversation,
following up on new information.
The mayor asked Dr. George to wrap up.
Dr. George responded:
Dr. Mark P. George @ VCC 7 April 2011 Part 2 of 3:
Regular monthly meeting of the Valdosta City Council (VCC),
Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, 7 April 2011,
Videos by Gretchen Quarterman for LAKE, the Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange.
More back and forth between Dr. George and the mayor
about how or whether or when he or somebody might answer
questions, followed by interchange between Dr. George
and the audience.
Roy Taylor spoke first at Citizens to be Heard,
Valdosta City Council, 7 April 2011.
He didn’t stay to hear the rest of the meeting, though.
Could he be one of the people
Scott Orenstein was referring to?
Here’s
the video.
Regular Meeting, Valdosta City Council, Lowndes County, Georgia, 7 April 2011
Videos by Gretchen Quarterman for LAKE, the Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange.
PS: Sorry for not transcribing, Roy, but we have so many videos lately
that we’re going to have to rush a bunch of them out without that.
5.a. Consideration of an Ordinance to rezone 0.24 acres from Single-Family
Residential (R6) to Office-Professional (O-P) as requested by 100 Black
Men of Valdosta (File No. VA-2011-09). The property is located at the
southeast corner of Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) Drive and South Troup
Street. The Planning Commission reviewed this request at their March
Regular Meeting and recommended approval (7-0-1 vote).
Scott Orenstein made a very good point at the end of the 7 March 2011
Valdosta City Council meeting:
…spirit of concern and participation in the community.
I’d just like the videographer to pan around and see how many
people are still here at the conclusion of the meeting.
And then talk about their true concern for the community.
Are they really concerned
when they get up and leave in the middle of the meeting?
