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6A ♦ SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23,2006 ISSUES From page iA Sen. Ross Tolleson and Representatives Larry O’Neal, Willie Talton and Tony Sellier. Sanders had a list of nine issues expected to come before the General Assembly in the upcoming session. “This kind of meet ing is very helpful,” Talton said at the conclusion. “It helps us know where you are coming from.” The county and the cit ies disagreed on changes to the exiting annexation laws with the cities believ ing the exiting laws work well. “We’re very comfort able with the process,” said Centerville City Manager Patrick Eidson. Perry Mayor Jim Worrall said “at the present time were are in a conflict with the county, we want the pro cess to follow through. We can live with the law as it is.” Sanders said, the law, as it is needs to be improved. There have been instances of abuse, some disagreements and instances where coun ty residents don’t feel they have a say - city officials don’t listen to them because they are not residents. Warner Robins Mayor Donald Walker said, “people in the unincorporated areas don’t want to see the area change and have the coun ty commission fight their fight.” Worrall said, “we have a nucleus of individuals at all our meetings to protest annexation.” DELIVER From page iA 10.12 percent 0r147 more patients at 1,599 than 1,452 from last year. At Houston Medical Center, year-to-date admissions are up 2.54 per cent or 213 at 8,595 from last year’s 8,382. Outpatient services are also up from last year. Visits are up 23.52 percent at Houston Lake Med-Stop, up 6.33 percent at the Pavilion Med-Stop and 9.37 percent at Perry Hospital. PROTEST From page lA adding 60 days on to the contract. The changes included extending the 16-inch water main across Feagin Mill Road for future extension to Lake Joy Road, to support heavy trucks at the rear loading dock and on the transformer pad per Flint EMC specifica tions, as well as additional protection for pump bowels to combat low pH condition in water. The commission also approved three bids on bud geted purchases including: • $15,871.33 from Wayne BUST From page lA charged with driving while license is suspended and fail ure to maintain lane. The passenger was also Christmas Eve Morning: Center Stage for Christ presents a Christmas Eve 4*erryplpl f« UWSD MfTHODiST CHURCH 987-1852 yl, J Commissioner Jay Walker, who faced two of those indi viduals in his re-election, said he doesn’t object to annexation if property own ers want to come in to the city, as long as it’s within the bounds of the existing neighborhood. “If there are changes to the exiting neigh borhood, I’m opposed.” Commissioner Larry Thomson said, “our biggest heartburn is in the south and rural areas, where developers try to put a high concentration of housing.” Commissioner Tom McMichael said the problem is PUDs. “I have yet to see one. A PUD is a Planned Use development not a hous ing development.” McMichael said overall he has no real problem with annexation. “We will contin ue to see more as the county does not have a sewer sys tem.” Commissioner Walker explained some of the Association County Commissioners of Georgia’s concerns such as cities annexing roads to get to a property. “In Dublin, the city wanted to annex all of Interstate 16 through the whole county.” Sanders said annexation is not a big problems with adjacent properties, but in the outlying areas because of the impact on roads, police and fire service. County Director of Administration Steve Engle suggested the legislators “maybe look at the resolu tion process and response time constraints, especially the seven day response time. Revenues are also up for Houston Healthcare. Powell said net patient revenues for November exceeded $16.4 million, up from $14.1 million last year. Houston Healthcare ended November with a net funds available of $4.1 million compared to the budgeted amount of $690,759. Powell said through nine months of the fiscal year, net patient revenues exceeded $133 million compared to the $128.9 million budget ed. The net funds available for capital improvements Morris Ford for one extend ed cab pickup truck with a 6-foot bed for the Roads Department. • $42,793.71 from Calhoun Automotive for vehicle main tenance for the Sheriff s Department for calendar year 2007. • $223,439.55 for water department supplies. The bids were to the low bidder on each of six items with each vendor getting a piece of the pie. During the public com ment portion of the meet ing, Lt. Col. Kevin Smock raised concerns about a com mercial rezoning behind his home in Peachtree Estates in Bonaire. He said the charged with permitting an unlicensed person to drive as the rental agreement on the vehicle was registered in her name. Chambers said the sus pects were most likely head- Play in the sanctuary 9 A.M.-11A.M. Sometimes we don’t have a meeting for 21 days.” Walker said we have a paradise here in Houston County with the relation ships with the cities and the county. “I have more problems with the munici palities on annexation than with the county. I have none with Peach County, Perry, Centerville or Bryon.” O’Neal said the ACCG wants substantial changes, where property owners can de-annex from the city and that the county commission ers have ultimate say so on annexation. Sanders said only some parts need to be changed. “We don’t want absolute veto power.” O’Neal pointed out that right now the county can only stall not stop an annex ation.” He said, “the beef is the cities are induced for fiscal reasons to change zonings. isn’t it a hit to the county budget to lose the fire tax and franchise fees?” Engle said the increased value of the property usually offsets the loss of fire tax and fees. Mayor Walker said, “the commissioners receive a windfall in that they don’t have to provide services any more.” Sanders said, “it’s not the loss of revenue but the inap propriate land use.” The possible land use at Oaky Woods was also an issue as is Infrastructure Development District legis lation, which may be used to develop the site as a private city. Sanders said he’s had exceeded $16.4 million, more than twice the budgeted $8 million. Houston Medical Center Administrator Skip Philips gave the board an update on some of the capital proj ects. He said the Houston Heart Institute project is going well, with completion expected soon. Roofing and exterior cleaning were able to be added to the project. Philips said the ground breaking for the new ener gy plant is scheduled for January. Three things were added to the project - addi- industrial equipment rental business creates significant noise vibrations. “I don’t think the intent of the rezoning was to change the fabric of the neighbor hood,” Smock said and asked for some sound mitigation. County Building Official Tim Andrews said the appli cation is appropriate to the site but there are some things at the site not in com pliance. Andrews has met with the owner and “he appears to be cooperative to making changes,” include meeting buffer requirements. “Corrective action has started,” Andrews said. ing back to Tallahasee, since that’s where they’re from, but they did not say where they obtained the cocaine. The street value for the cocaine seized is estimated over $12,000. LOCAL numerous complaints that the state didn’t buy the land and preserve its. The opin ion of most, Sanders said, “y’all ought to do what you can to buy it and preserve it as a wildlife management area and for outdoor recre ation.” Talton asked/pointed out “it’s not for sale now, is it?” Tolleson explained why the state didn’t buy the land saying there were large budgetary constraints when it came up for sale. “Weyerhaeuser owned and had the right to do what they wanted with it.” Tolleson said, “nobody worked harder than Sonny Perdue to get them to set it aside for a year,” as a wild life management area. He said a deal for the land to be put in a trust with the Georgia Land Conservancy fell through because “the state had to guarantee repurchase, but you can’t do that when you’re broke. The governor and the General Assembly wanted to buy it, but you can’t write the check if you don’t have the money.” Tolleson said the Department of Natural Resources wants to protect the bear habitat. The state wants to do what it can to protect Oaky Woods, espe cially the most sensitive parts. Sanders said, “we realize what the state would like to, but the issue still comes up. Does the state have the wherewithal to do it?” Tolleson said the issue comes up daily. Sanders was also con tional acoustic buffers, a third generator and more fireproofing. He said the certificate of need is still in process, with decision expected in February on the northwest tower. He also said the sec ond floor renovation is com plete. It’s now open and operational as of Dec. 11. The project budgeted at $3.6 million came in at $3 million, Philips said. THE SPORTS CENTER ANNUAL CUSTOMER APPRECIATION. SALE EVERYTHING IN THE STORE WILL BE ON SALE WITH DISCOUNTS OF UP TO. 50% ALL SALES WILL BE FINAL mwnn etortt praeai wm& SALE DOES NOT APPLYTO ANY WEBSITE ORDERS COME AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE LOWEST PRICES OF THE YEAR DECEMBER 29. 2006 THRU JANUARY L 2QQL 41698 BOAT & ATV SALES (478) 987-3580 START A HAPPY NEW YEAR WITH A TRIP TO THE SPORTS CENTER LOCATED AT 1444 SAM NUNN BLVD, PERRY GA EXIT 136 JUST OFF 1-75. cerned about the site as a potential location for an IDD. O’Neal said he would “not be involved in it this time,” referring to IDD legislation which he and State senator Cecil Staton each introduced last session. O’Neal noted however that the ACCG is supporting it this time. McMichael said Infrastructure Development Districts may work in the lower tier counties, but “one size does not fit all. I don’t think it belongs here.” Sanders said, “for those counties that can control growth, they should be able to retain the ability to do so.” McMicheal was also con cerned about the impact to the county if one of these MWlk contact a classified Representative GIRLS A New and Gently Used Apparel and Accessoriesm BRAND NAMES WE CARRY: 1 J | Ralph Lauren • Ann Taylor • Brighton lar if • Coach • Dooney &Bourke • Saks5 lh Jjm • Hollister• American Eagle • Abercrombie • Liz, and More / 1847 Watson Blvd. (behind Chick-fil-a) (478) 328-2041 V Y/w/mmm* \7 v HOUSTON DAILY JOURNAL example of Lake Wildwood in Bibb County. “It collapsed. The county had to take over the roads and sewer sys tem.” Sanders was concerned about the autonomy of the private city. The leaders are not elected. Mayors Walker and Worrall agreed. “What do you think you would have with citi zens do if the developer is in charge,” Walker said, and not answerable to anyone. Commissioner Gail Robinson said the develop ments “would be bonded, but there is no way to cover it if it folds.” Sellier said his district, which is mostly rural “has similar concerns about the land use.” Triwon BOATS II LOWRANCE rsAßOum Skiff ANYTHiSC K KMIM fIHHD SPORTING GOODS (478) 987-5727 7: mw