As 1-Year Anniversary Nears, Helene Recovery Continues

As the 1-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene’s arrival in Jeff Davis County approaches, the Federal and Georgia Emergency Management Agencies (FEMA and GEMA) continue to send millions of dollars to the county to assist with paying the enormous costs of mitigating the disaster the storm caused here.
At last Thursday’s meeting of the Jeff Davis County Commission, Joe LaBianco with ER Assist gave the commissioners an update on the ongoing work to repair the damages. He also discussed generator projects and identifying community shelter requirements for future such storms.
LaBianco said the proposal to name the county fairgrounds as a shelter site was unworkable because it did not meet the population requirements in the surrounding area. County Administrator Jayme Crosby suggested the County Recreation Department’s office building on Buford Road as a possibility as it was located in a more heavily populated area.
LaBianco also informed the commission that necessary road repairs would be eligible for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding and added that if the county had no one to assist them with a CDBG application then ER Assist would apply for the county.
LaBianco addresses debris removal funding (that funding was received by the county the next day — Friday) which would complete 75% of the costs due to Phillips and Jordan Inc., the company that conducted the work.
Clearing waterways clogged by the storm is still ongoing and the commissioners approved the low bid for the work from JRW Disaster Services.
In other action, the commissioners ….
…. heard from County Clerk Arianna Lara who addressed that the health department needed a new appointee for the county position since Dennis Yawn is no longer a County Commissioner. The commissioners voted to name Commission Chairman Ricky Crosby to the Health Board.
The commissioners agreed to table discussion of House Bill 22
…. tabled an agenda item to discuss House Bill 223 – Next Generation 911 – with Sheriff Preston Bohannon as the sheriff was unable to attend the meeting.
…. heard County Administrator Jayme Crosby present three bids for air conditioner units at the fairground to complete the fairgrounds American Rescue Plan Act project. The commission approved the low bid from Air Pro Heating and Air.
…. listened as Crosby said only one bid was received for repairs to the courthouse tower clock. The bid was from White’s Clock and Carillon to replace all four clocks and everything above. This will be an insurance claim. The commission approved the bid.
…. heard an update from Crosby who mentioned that Oakley Perry with the Joint Development Authority reached out to her about a company wanting to help build 4 pickleball courts at the recreation department. Crosvby asked Chloe Chaney to give more information. Chaney said the Joint Development Authority brought in Georgia Asphalt Producers. The company will pave the pickleball court, and the county will be responsible for everything else such as lights, paint, netting etc. Chairman Ricky Crosby would like to get more information and pricing on the courts.
…. heard an update from Road Department Manager Chris Horton who said the department is a little behind on grading roads. They are on the third round of mowing and are resurfacing Quinn Road. Road engineer did re-patching on Ira Graham Rd. with no cost to the county. Pipe crews are putting in 3-5 pipes a day. Commissioner Vann Wooten suggested to look into ends to cover the pipe, so they won’t be damaged.
…. listened as Commissioner James Emory Tate said the county is putting in a lot of pipes. Chairman Crosby agreed that it is costing the county and suggested that the citizens buy the pipe, and county will supply the dirt. Commissioner Vann Wooten opposed and addressed that the county needed to help the homeowner and landowner with the pipe. The matter was tabled until the next meeting.
…. voted to begin the process to close Scout Pond Road and Preston Crawford Road.
…. heard Rodney Atwater who spoke on the behalf of Youth Forward, saying they have donated the land and money for the organization and received a grant that provides athletic gear. They also receive a grant to help people in need. Atwater also mentionsed that the program is already making an impact. In July, they took 50 children to the zoo and hosted a back-to-school drive where they gave out 100 backpacks. Atwater asked the board for a letter of support. The letter does not commit to anything.
…. listened as Oakley Perry addressed more about the pickleball courts. He said they have one year to have the courts paved. If the county was not interested, he would ask the school systems or the City of Hazlehurst. Perry recommended getting the price and size from
recreation Director Josh Horton.