Newspaper Page Text
Wednesday, January 17,2024
Fayette County News A3
Final Public Hearing for Medical
Detox Facility Scheduled Jan. 25
Luke Haney
Editor
lhaney@upsonbeacon.com
In a time when the opioid
epidemic and substance use
disorders continue to devas
tate families, Fayette County,
like numerous other com
munities, is grappling with
the pressing need for acces
sible and timely drug treat
ment centers.
While a decades-old state
zoning provision hampers
the efforts, the final public
hearing for a medical detox
facility proposed for Fayette
County will be held during
the Jan. 25 Fayette County
Commission meeting.
When Atlanta-based at
torney Adam Kaye’s client
first expressed wishes to
open a detox facility in Fay
ette County, Kaye said he as
sumed the proposal “would
sail through to approval,” al
though state zoning code has
extended the process longer
than expected.
After speaking with the
county planning commis
sion, Kaye first addressed
county commissioners dur
ing their June 22 meeting,
where consideration of an or
dinance to amend Fayette
County’s definition of a drug
abuse treatment facility
within the zoning ordinance
led to emotional, tear-filled
discussions by members of
the county commission and
public.
During the meeting, Kaye
advocated for adding the
amendment, explaining that
he represented clients hop
ing to bring a medical detox
facility to the county.
Emotional statements
were given by each member
of the commission, detailing
personal experiences related
to the negative effects of sub
stance abuse.
The main obstacle noted
by Kaye and members of the
commission is that state zon
ing code requires six to nine
months between the two re
quired public hearings for
consideration of such a facil
ity
Prior to the end of the
meeting, Chairman Lee
Hearn was in tears as he
promised to do all he can to
bring the facility to Fayette
County.
The first of two public
hearings was held on July 27
for the facility proposed for
1008 Highway 54 West in
Fayetteville, a property
formerly used as a hospice
center.
During the two meetings,
numerous members of the
community addressed the
commission in support of ap
proving the facility. Opposi
tion was mostly expressed
through social media plat
forms.
In ongoing efforts to find
ways to adequately support
families in Fayette County
impacted by substance use
disorder, community
members often find them
selves navigating a maze of
terms and types of facilities,
often leading to misconcep
tions and oversimplifica
tions.
Drug Free Fayette Coali
tion Program Director Mi
chael Mumper told Fayette
County News that one com
mon misconception in the
community stems from the
belief that all drug and alco
hol treatment facilities are
alike, citing definitions and
descriptions within the rules
and regulations of Georgia
Department of Community
Health.
“This oversimplification
often lumps acute medical
detox centers together with
inpatient or outpatient treat
ment facilities, leading to
negative perceptions,”
Mumper commented. “To
dispel the misunderstand
ings, it is essential to high
light that acute medical
detox centers operate with a
specialized approach in a set
ting like a hospital facility.
The most notable difference
being that the hospital set
ting is conducive to individ
uals requiring simultaneous
management of substance
withdrawal and other medi
cal issues.
“An acute medical detox
center (like the one proposed
locally), as defined by Geor
gia regulations, specializes in
providing intensive, short
term medical care specifi
cally for substance
withdrawal.”
As described in the At
lanta Journal-Constitution’s
recent article, “Advocates say
Georgia law hampers efforts
to open drug treatment
centers,” author Katherine
Landergan exposes the chal
lenges faced by advocates
like Kaye who navigate the
“convoluted process” to es
tablish a detox facility.
According to Georgia De
partment of Public Health’s
OASIS database, 69 people
in Fayette County died from
overdose deaths between
2018 and 2022.
Fayette resident Stephen
Childs, vice president of Pan
asonic Automotive, is one of
the many that agree that the
struggle to open such centers
is not just a bureaucratic bat
tle, but a deeply personal en
deavor.
Having lost his children’s
mother to an opioid over
dose, Childs emphasizes the
profound lack of support for
those grappling with add
iction, with statics showing
more than 96,700 people
succumb to drug overdoses
annually.
“For me, my kids lost
their mother to an overdose
after she was a long-time vic
tim of the opioid epidemic.
The problem then, as with
now, is the lack of support re
garding these addictions,”
commented Childs.
“Whether it is the mass levels
of fentanyl coming into the
country or the raging opioid
epidemic that has been tear
ing at the fabric of families
for years, the tragedies are
real.”
Ben Carter of Peachtree
Wellness Solutions, which
submitted proposal for the
medical detox facility, says
he believes that such local fa
cilities will not only provide
essential services for individ
uals, but also will foster con
nections with wellness
services, support groups, and
aftercare resources.
“Part of my previous
work experience was work
ing front line in admissions
for treatment facilities,”
Carter commented. “During
those conversations with
family members and patients
who were residents of Fay
ette and Coweta counties, in
forming them of options
were met with hesitancy. The
[1.5-hour] drive to a detox fa
cility most appropriate for
them was a long way off
when working with a small
window of opportunity for
someone to commit to treat
ment.”
“A few times,” he con
tinued, “I have had reports of
patients jumping out of a ve
hicle at stop lights in Atlanta
because they changed their
mind. Making the decision to
go to detox when your life
has been consumed with sig
nificant substance use daily
is not an easy one.”
Two organizations con
tinually vocalizing support
for the local facility include
Fayette FACTOR, Inc., Drug
Free Fayette Coalition, and
In Ryan’s Name, Inc.
“After meeting with law
enforcement, first re
sponders, and some elected
officials, I learned that if a
person needs immediately
help due to a mental health
or substance use crisis, the
only place available in Fay
ette County is either the hos
pital or jail. This seems to
present a clear dilemma
about the inability to have
the kind of services in Fay
ette County that can place
people in crisis where they
need to be. As a community,
we have to find a better way,”
commented Dawn Oparah,
executive director for Fayette
FACTOR.
Meetings & Events
Email your Meetings and Events to support@fayette-news.net
or submit online at www.fayette-news.net. Charges may apply.
PTC Announces Citizen
Surveys, Classes on Gov
ernment Operations: Since
Peachtree City Mayor Kim
Learnard was first elected, she,
along with members of the city
council, have taken time to
listen to the needs and con
cerns of residents, and that ini
tiative continues as PTC
officials have released new cit
izen surveys and created a class
to teach residents about how
governments operate.
In 2024, PTC officials plan
to provide surveys that will
allow citizens to voice their
thoughts and opinions about
various topics discussed by the
city council, like recreation and
short-term rentals, adding that
they want to know the com
munity’s preferences on regu
lations and improvements
throughout the year.
Access to these surveys can
be found in the Peachtree City
Newsletter, “The Slice,” as well
as on the Peachtree City web
site.
In addition to surveys, the
city has opened registration for
an eight-week class meeting on
Wednesdays in March and
April called “Peachtree City
101,” where city officials will
teach community members
about the city government and
how it operates.
“Each department will ex
plain their role in our city gov
ernment, and attendees are
encouraged to ask questions
and share light refreshments
with our city team,” officials
commented.
Only 40 spots are available
in each PTC 101 session, and
classes will run from 6-8 p.m.
on Wednesday between March
6 and April 24.
Applications for the up
coming session will be ac
cepted through Feb. 16 and can
be found at www.peachtree-
city.org/PTC101.
FPD Accepting Applica
tions for Citizens Police
Academy: Interested in
learning the dynamics of local
law enforcement? Applications
are currently being accepted
for the 2024 Fayetteville Police
Department Citizens Police
Academy.
Classes, to be held Thurs
day nights from 6-8 p.m. be
tween March 7 and May 9, will
provide attendees with an un
derstanding of “the true and
noble profession of law en
forcement” as officials cover
class topics of patrol response,
crime scene investigation, de
tective investigations, K-9,
school resource officers, use of
force, policy requirements,
SWAT, and more.
Applications are available
at Fayetteville Police Depart
ment, located at 760 Jimmie
Mayfield Boulevard, between 8
a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday-Fri-
day, and are due by Feb. 9.
For more information, call
770-719-4295-
Fayette County Historical
Society Upcoming Events:
Starr’s Mill, which is gen
erally open on the second Wed
nesday of each month, will not
open until March 14. Starr’s
Mill is located at 115 Waterfall
Way, Fayetteville.
The Old Courthouse
Welcome Center and Mu
seum, 200 Courthouse Square
in Fayetteville, is open Thurs
days, Fridays, and Saturdays
from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Entry is
free.
The Fayette County
Historical Society, 195 Lee
Street, Fayetteville, is open
Tuesdays from 6-9 p.m. and
Thursdays and Saturdays from
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Fayette County Historical
Society will host a workday in
lieu of a formal meeting on
Jan. 21 from 3-4 p.m. New vol
unteers are welcome to attend.
See additional meet
ings and events at
wiviv.fayette-neivs.net.
Courtesy of Fayette County Schools
Scott Hollowell
Randy Hough
Roy Rabold
BOE Elects Hollowell as
Chairman, Hough as Vice Chair
Leah Banks
Senior Reporter
leah@fayette-news.net
During the Fayette
County Board of Educa
tion’s Jan. 8 work session
meeting, members elected
former vice chair Scott
Hollowell to serve as the
new chairman and District
1 representative Randy
Hough to serve as vice
chair of the board for 2024
with two 4-1 votes.
Elections were also
held for Georgia School
Boards Association legis
lative liaison and GSBA
Summer Conference del
egate and alternative.
Hough nominated Hol
lowell, representing Dis
trict 3, for the position of
chairman, and member at
large Brian Anderson
nominated Hough as vice
chair. District 4 represen
tative Dr. Regina Daigre
cast the lone opposing
votes in each election.
Following board elec
tions, former chairman
and District 2 representa
tive Roy Rabold nomi
nated himself to serve as
the board’s GSBA legis
lative liaison, which was
seconded by Anderson and
approved unanimously.
Hollowell nominated
Hough for the role of
GSBA Summer Confer
ence delegate and alter
native, which was
approved unanimously.
Following elections,
Rabold presented Hollow
ell with the gavel and ex
claimed that he was now
the board chair. Hollowell
thanked Rabold for his
service as chair during the
2023 school year.
“I look forward to this
board accomplishing more
good things for our school
system in the coming
year,” Hollowell com
mented.
In 2024, the BOE will
hold work sessions at 2
p.m. on March 11, April 8,
May 6, Aug. 12, Sept. 9,
and Oct. 7. Work sessions
will be held at 8:30 a.m.
Feb. 12 and June 10 (both
board retreat meetings).
Regular board meet
ings will be held at 7 p.m.
on Jan. 22, Feb. 26, March
25, April 22, May 20, June
24, July 22, Aug. 26, Sept.
23, Oct. 21, Nov. 18, and
Dec. 9.
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REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
for
DESIGN-BUILD SERVICES FOR WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY
IMPROVEMENTS
PEACHTREE CITY WATER AND SEWERAGE AUTHORITY
RFP # 2024-100
Competitive sealed proposals for design-build services for wastewater treatment facility
improvements will be received by the Peachtree City Water and Sewerage Authority (PCWASA,
Owner) at 1127 Ga 74, Peachtree City, GA 30269 until March 14,2024. Proposals received after
this time will not be considered. The project generally consists of, but is not limited to:
• Installation of a new UV disinfection system at the Owner's two wastewater treatment
facilities, Rockaway WPCP and Line Creek WRF.
• Design and construction of an additional secondary filtration system at Rockaway WPCP.
• Installation of a new headworks bar screen at Line Creek WRF.
Design-Build (D/B) services shall include both pre-construction services and construction
services. Pre-construction services consist of professional services of sufficient detail to allow
the Proposer to develop a Firm Fixed Price for consideration by the Owner. If the Firm Fixed
Price is accepted by the Owner, construction services will begin following negotiation of a
contract amendment.
Rockaway WPCP is located at 1127 Ga 74, Peachtree City, GA 30269, and Line Creek WRF is
located at 100 Aviation Way, Peachtree City, GA 30269.
Funding: The work will be funded with grant proceeds from the American Rescue Plan Act. As
such, all work must comply with applicable federal procurement and labor rules, including
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise utilization and Equal Employment Opportunity.
Solicitation: This solicitation is provided in accordance with Georgia and Federal Law (O.C.G.A.
36-91 and 2 CFR Part 200.318 through 200.327). This Request for Proposal (RFP) for Design-
Build services invites competitive proposals from qualified firms according to the requirements
set forth in this RFP. Proposals will be reviewed and evaluated by the PCWASA selection team in
accordance with the evaluation criteria established in this RFP. Following the evaluation process,
PCWASA may enter into discussions with the most qualified to enter an Agreement and award
the Project. The Owner reserves the authority to reject all proposals or any proposal that is
nonresponsive or not responsible and select the proposal that is most advantageous to
PCWASA. This RFP is subject to revision after the date of issuance by written addenda, which
will be distributed directly to acknowledged Proposers.
PCWASA - Design-Build Services for Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvements
RFP No. 2024-100
Project Documents: The RFP and other supporting documents may be obtained from PCWASA's
webpage, under the Procurement section: www.pcwasa.org. Each offeror is responsible for
downloading all documents and should check the webpage for any future addendums.
Pre-Submittal Meeting: An optional pre-proposal meeting will be held in the board room at the
PCWASA Office at 1127 Ga 74, Peachtree City, GA 30269. The meeting will be held at 2 p.m.,
January 25, 2024. A project overview will be presented with site visits to follow. Site visits will
be held at Rockaway WPCP at 1127 Ga 74, Peachtree City, GA 30269 and Line Creek WRF at 100
Aviation Way, Peachtree City, GA 30269
Proposal Security: Each proposal submitted shall include a 10% bond or security. The successful
offeror shall also submit performance and payment bonds for the construction services prior to
issuance of the Notice to Proceed.
Open Records: All materials submitted in connection with this RFP will be public documents and
subject to O.C.G.A. 50-18-71 (Georgia Open Records Act).
Permits, Lands, Easements, and Right-of-Way: The Owner has not obtained all the permits that
may be required to complete this project. A list of anticipated permits needing to be obtained is
included with this RFP. PCWASA owns all land where proposed work will take place.
PCWASA - Design-Build Services for Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvements
RFP No. 2024-100