Commissioners hear concerns

At last Tuesday’s meeting of the Jeff Davis County Commissioners, Jimmy Brantley, who resides in the Evans Subdivision south of Hazlehurst, told the commissioners about his concerns that a mobile home park was being established near the subdivision, which could devalue the properties in the subdivision.
He had reviewed the county’s codes and state regulations concerning mobile home parks and asked for the commissioners’ help with the situation.
Commission chairman Hank Hobbs told Brantley they would definitely look into the matter.
Larry Bruce returned to the commission meeting to again express his concerns about the county’s roads and again suggested that the commissioners contract out the work necessary to repair the roads.
In other action, the commissioners …
… appointed Doug Swank, Carlos Ramirez and Dr. Kirk Munsayac to the Recreation Board.
… approved advertising for one new Board of Elections member to replace Walt Swain who asked not to be reappointed.
… designated April 21-27 as National Crime Victims Week.
… heard from Chairman Hobbs who made a presentation showing the miles of paved roads in each commissioner’s district. Commissioner James Emory Tate made a motion to change the Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant money to distribute the money based on the number of miles paved in each district. The motion passed 3-2 with Ricky Crosby and James Benjamin opposing the motion.
… heard an update on the Recreation Department from Director Josh Horton. The commissioners approved without opposition to adopt policy and procedures recommended by the Recreation Department Board.
… heard a presentation from Fire Chief Charles Wasdin who requested the commissioners review handout requests for proposals to purchase a new 3,000 gallon tanker. The commissioners approved the purchase.
… approved daylight savings times for the county dumpster sites as Tuesday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
… agreed to start the process to close Iris Love Lane, Tommy Meeks Lane and Preston Crawford Road.
… tabled a request by Hobbs that he be allowed to work with road engineers to choose someone to complete the road project on Ira Graham Road.
… approved for the County Dump truck to empty the Board of Education’s Maintenance Shop container once a month.
… heard from Sheriff Preston Bohannon who shared with the Board that he was planning to hold an Open House for the new Sheriff’s Office and Jail on April 11 at 10 a.m. 2 p.m.
… heard from David DeSousa who shared his thoughts and concerns on the County needing a Code Enforcement Office.
… met just over an hour in closed session. After the meeting was reopened to the public the commissioners…
… approved a motion to allow the Elections Office to move to the old Sheriff’s office.
… approved allowing Jeff Davis County to furnish the first driveway pipe up to 30 feet for a new residence in the County if needed.
… approved hiring Hall Booth Smith (HBS) Law Firm as the County Attorney. HBS is headquartered in Atlanta and has regional offices throughout Georgia and the United States. In Georgia, the firm has regional offices in Alpharetta, Athens, Augusta, Brunswick, Columbus and Tifton.