{"id":11933,"date":"2014-12-31T13:18:13","date_gmt":"2014-12-31T18:18:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.l-a-k-e.org\/blog\/?p=11933"},"modified":"2014-12-31T13:49:52","modified_gmt":"2014-12-31T18:49:52","slug":"state-of-district-4-address-demarcus-marshall-town-hall-meeting-2014-12-15","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.l-a-k-e.org\/blog\/2014\/12\/state-of-district-4-address-demarcus-marshall-town-hall-meeting-2014-12-15.html","title":{"rendered":"State of District 4 Address –Demarcus Marshall @ Town Hall Meeting 2014-12-15"},"content":{"rendered":"

\r\n\r\n<\/a>\r\nText published by Demarcus Marshall<\/a> (PDF<\/a>)\r\nand LAKE video<\/a> of his address at the\r\nTown Hall Meeting 15 December 2014<\/a>. -jsq\r\n

\r\n

\r\nFor those unaware, Super District 4 was a newly created district in\r\nLowndes County two years ago. I assumed this office without a\r\npredecessor to this district seat. It was my understanding of this\r\ndistrict to compliment the other districts by adding more\r\nresponsiveness and accountability for the citizens of Lowndes\r\nCounty.\r\n<\/p>\r\n

\r\nUpon being elected and occupying the seat, I inherited a wonderful\r\nstaff; however, the county faced several challenges. The economy was\r\n\r\n\r\nstill trying to bounce back. Like much of the country, the housing\r\nmarket in Lowndes County was at a standstill. Initially, two of the\r\nmain challenges for the commission was the SPLOST VII referendum and\r\nsanitation franchise agreement. The SPLOST VII referendum had failed\r\non the previous ballot. Many have different opinions of why it\r\nfailed, but it was very important to find out what the citizens\r\ndesired from their tax dollars versus previous recommendations.\r\n<\/p>\r\n

\r\nSpeaking of the SPLOST VII, I must admit that I struggled with\r\nidentifying bridges and road paving requests from the 1990s and\r\nearly 2000s. I understand projects can take the length of a SPLOST\r\ncollection, which has been 6 years. But, I could not and still do\r\nnot understand two decades! I still believe Forrest Street in the\r\ncounty portion and city limits need at least another lane and\r\nsidewalks. The children are walking in the grass. Yet, there are\r\nsidewalk where people do not even walk.\r\n<\/p>\r\n

\r\nBack to the challenges, a sanitation ordinance and agreement signed\r\nby the previous commission became into effect after I was in office\r\none month. I still receive complaints about illegal dumping and the\r\ncustomer service of the county’s sanitation provider. While the deal\r\nappeared to be good to some, it created an uproar to others because\r\nof the bad customer service and the exclusive agreement in the\r\ncontract. So, let me be clear. If we are to talk about anything with\r\nADS, it needs to be their customer service. I am pro-business and\r\nbelieve in the free market. I think that it is time to revisit the\r\nsanitation issue.\r\n<\/p>\r\n

\r\nAs many of you know, our community has suffered several tragedies.\r\nThe death of Kendrick Johnson will never be forgotten in our\r\ncommunity. The death of a VSU student found dead in the dorms name\r\nJasmine Benjamin. A VSU student, Elizabeth Lohmar, hit by a truck\r\nand died from walking to campus. We should continue to pray for\r\nthese families.\r\n<\/p>\r\n

\r\nSince in office, despite the economic downturn and other challenges,\r\nSuper District 4 has been flourishing with housing and community\r\ndevelopment (Cat Creek Bridge, Oak Street @ Lake Laurie traffic\r\nlights etc.). Many homes have been built and new subdivisions\r\napproved in Super District 4 (Bemiss Knights Academy, Ivy Gate,\r\nCottonwood, and Crestwood, etc.), which supplies an array of\r\n<\/p>\r\n

\r\njobs. Roads are being paved and widened (Boring Pond Road and Val\r\nDel Road) and we’re working on the Alapaha boat ramp right now. The\r\nValdosta-Lowndes Industrial Authority has been renamed to improve\r\nsolicitation of businesses (Valdosta-Lowndes County Development\r\nAuthority). We have adopted resolutions to express our dedication to\r\nvaluing property rights of all of our citizens. Recently, the LCBOC\r\nadopted a Special Events Ordinance. It created a standardized\r\nprocess for all promoters of events to perform concerts. We are\r\nimproving our fire service in the county. If you don’t know,\r\nValdosta High School will be in District 4; which means addition\r\ndevelopment will come with it!\r\n<\/p>\r\n

\r\nIn closing, I encourage everyone to utilize the county services and\r\nfacilities. As county commissioners, we are able to affect funding\r\nand services provided in Lowndes County. To name a few, the health\r\ndepartment, 4 H Camp, libraries, roads, and bridges. It is equally\r\nimportant to remember that the LCBOC also appoints members to boards\r\nand authorities such as the Hospital Authority, Development\r\nAuthority, Park and Recreation Authority. These authorities make\r\ncritical decisions with tax payer dollars. We need people to serve\r\non boards and authorities besides the same individuals. If we want\r\npeople, in particular our young professionals, to remain in the\r\narea, we need to have board members to reflect some of their\r\ninterests. Diversity includes age, gender, race, and nationalities.\r\nWe have a wonderful Air Force base and Valdosta State University\r\ncommunity here. I want to make them feel at home away from home.\r\nLet’s look forward to the upcoming year in Lowndes County. We have\r\nsome critical decisions in the near future. Your participation in\r\nthe process would be greatly appreciated. May God continue to bless\r\nLowndes County, the State of Georgia, and May God bless the United\r\nStates of America. Thank you!\r\n<\/p>\r\n

\r\nSincerely,\r\n

\r\nDr. Demarcus Marshall\r\n
\r\nCounty Commissioner\r\n
\r\nSuper District 4\r\n
\r\nLowndes County, Georgia\r\n<\/blockquote>\r\n

\r\nHere’s\r\n\r\nthe video:<\/a>\r\n<\/p>\r\n

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