About Lake Oconee news. (Greensboro, GA) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 11, 2015)
Page A2 Lake Oconee News Friday, December 11, 2015 GREENE COUNTY Tax digest a big puzzle for Greene commissioners Mark Engel news@lakeoconeenews.us Greene County Commission Chairman Ed Bullard is continu ing his efforts to push for a plan to increase industrial development. In September, a proposed study, championed by Bullard, of six potential locations throughout the county that would have cost $7,500 was tabled by the commis sion At a called meeting on Dec. 2, commissioners heard a presen tation on how to lure industry to the county from Rope Roberts of Georgia Power’s Community and Economic Development depart ment. Roberts displayed a graph showing the sources for the 2014 Greene County Tax Digest. Res idential land accounted for 71 percent of the revenue, a figure he said was too high. The second highest revenue generator was commercial property with 7 percent. Agriculture, conserva tion use and miscellaneous each were at 6 percent. Industry in Greene County accounted for only 2 percent of the county’s revenue in 2014, about the same as motor vehicle registrations. The need for industrial develop ment is clear, but the commission ers haven’t been able to come to a consensus on the procedure for making Greene County inviting as an industrial site. District 4 Commissioner Jimmy Britt, who opposed the study of potential industrial sites, said “what you got is a big puzzle. You got to put the pieces together on where we want to go to first. And that’s what we have not done. In frastructure, affordable housing, we have to go through all of those pieces, one at a time, and see what our priorities would be.” District 1 Commissioner Jeffery Smith asked, “What do most counties do? Do they go out and purchase property and put all the infrastructure in and spend all the money and hope they come?” Roberts said that companies like to see infrastructure - water, sewer, gas, electricity - in place on land they consider. The cost of buying land and making those improvements can be daunting, said District 1 Commissioner Angela Deering. “Just the thought of going out and buying several hundred acres of land, and it sits, just didn’t feel like a wise use of resources. But that we have property available that already has water, and that we can possibly work on an agree ment for an option sounds better to me.” One location being looked at is a 300-acre parcel near the Siloam exit 138 off 1-20. Water, sewer and other utilities are nearby servicing the truck stop at that interchange. But the property is privately owned. Roberts says that public/private partnerships can work well, but the profit margin on industrial land is small. “You’re going to have to find a partner who realizes that this is an investment back into the community,” he said. Roberts thinks the county should, first, work with what it has. “I would like to see the other parcels in your industrial park completed as well. I know they have some topographical chal lenges.” Bullard chimed in “25 acres.” Roberts responded, ‘You can put a lot of building on 25 acres.” In the end, Roberts indicated he could set up another meeting for the commissioners with some statewide planning managers who would give advice from the viewpoint of companies. Not only would it be good for commission ers to get the advice, he said, but it would also reinforce in the minds of people who help locate indus tries that Greene County is inter ested in moving forward. Also at the called meeting, com missioners extended for another 60 days the moratorium on ac cepting applications for building permits for poultry production fa cilities. The hold is also continued on applications for rezoning land to Al for poultry production use. A group of residents is upset that the county granted permits for 16 chicken houses on a (270- acre) tract of land on Veazy Road at Leslie Mill Road. They say the facilities will have a punishing impact on roads, the environment and water. The commission plans to use the time to determine what, if any, policies regarding poultry production need to change. 646 G Old Phoenix Rd. Eatonton, GA 706-484-0999 • deerrunfarmfloristbiz Tree Continued from Al Santa shared that all is well in the North Pole. His elves are busy working to make gifts for children all over the world - but, especially, for the boys and girls of our area! Santa reports that as always the children of Greene County were well-behaved. “I heard lots of pleases and thank-yous from my visitors,” Santa said. “I’m sure that with such polite manners and good behavior that I’ll be bringing a sleigh-load of toys to Greene County when I return in a few weeks.” After a visit with Santa, children stopped by the craft tent to make their very own Christmas ornament from Greensboro First United Methodist Church. Other Saturday, December 12th 11:00am to 4:00pm - ^ 176 Dennis Station Road Eatonton, Georgia vendors for the evening included a bounce house by the Greene County Beta Club, Liberty United Meth odist Church, Greensboro Fire Department, Cakes for any Occasion, Delicious Baked Goods, Calligraphy by Claire, Hay Rides by Ray Foster and Family, Knight of Columbus with hot cider and cocoa, and Washington Grass Inn at the Christmas Cafe. Remember to support your local businesses this holiday season! The downtown merchants will have extended business hours on Friday and Satur days until Christmas and they are more than able to help you find the perfect Christmas gift. Be sure to check out the unique se lection of clothing, hand made gifts, local art, special holiday items, and more that are available at the shops of downtown Greensboro. For more information about the holidays in Greensboro visit www. GreensboroHoliday.com. ROTARY- Super RAFFLE 2015 2015 2015 ROTARY Rotary Club is Happy to Announce the December 3 rd Winner r Club of Greene and Putnam Counties November 26 th Winner Tom Doss I Grjjfine £ Putnam Rotary , 120 5 SUPER raffle! Winner ere Mills #382 a Shopping Spree at Greensboro Jewelers valued at $300 donated by Greensboro Jewelers December 10 th PRIZE a Shopping Spree at The Oconee Cellar valued at $300 donated by Date: Item - Retailer (Value): Date: Item - Retailer (Value): Date: Item - Retailer (Value): 1-Jan Infrared Grill - Pike's Nursery ($750) 7-May Pro Shop Water Toy - Crowe Marine ($300) 3-Sep Countertop Appliance - Askew Appliances ($300) 8-Jan 00 & BV Pairing once month for 12 Months - Plantation Olive Oil ($325) 14-May Costa Del Mar Gift Package - The Clothing Depot ($320) 10-Sep Round of Golf for Four - Harbor Club ($550) 15-Jan Round of Golf for Four and $100 Gift Certificate for any Cuscowilla restaurant - Cuscowilla ($700) 21-May Gift Certificate - Greensboro Tire ($400) 17-Sep Gift Card - Art Work or Picture Frame - Frames on Main ($300) 22-Jan Catered Party for up to 30 People - GA Butts/Tim Cadiere Band ($1,000) 28-May Rover 5 String Banjo with Carry Bag - Milledgeville Music Man ($450) 24-Sep Round of Golf for Four and $100 Gift Certificate for any Cuscowilla restaurant - Cuscowilla ($700) 29-Jan Shampoo, Cut and Style monthly for 12 months - PJ Kinchen at Salon Essentials ($420) 4-Jun Tokyo-Obrien Stand-up Paddle Board - Singleton Marine Group ($1,295) 1-Oct Blue Tooth Speaker & Headphones - Lakeside Comp/Radio Shack ($300) 5-Feb Shopping Spree - Greensboro Jewelers ($300) 11-Jun Gift Certificate - Bone Island Grillhouse ($300) 8-0ct iPad - Micki Tanner/Susan Couch ($300) 12-Feb Full Teeth Whitening System - Dr. Scott Roberts ($350) 18-Jun Gift Certificate - Oconee Fast Lube ($300) 15-Oct Ruger 10/22 Rifle with Scope and One Estate Planning Consultation - Frier and Oulsnam ($500) 19-Feb 5' X 7'10" New Zealand Rug - Dalton Carpet One ($599) 25-Jun Kayak - Pathway to Healing ($300) 22-Oct Gift Certificate - Jimmy Britt Chevrolet ($300) 26-Feb Shopping Spree - Maggie Lane ($300) 2-Jul Shopping Spree - Lights of Oconee ($300) 29-Oct Services (Hair Color) - Zapiens ($300) 5-Mar Round Trip ATL Airport for Two - Lakeside Travel & Limo ($324) 9-Jul Round of Golf for Four and $100 Gift Certificate for any Cuscowilla restaurant - Cuscowilla ($700) 5-Nov Shopping Spree - Classic Wines ($300) 12-Mar Shampoo, Cut and Style monthly for 12 months - Cindy Griffeth at Salon Essentials ($420) 16-Jul Eye exam + $ 200 towards frame - Eyewear Gallery ($329) 12-Nov Seafood/ Meat - Pounders Market ($300) 19-Mar Yeti Cooler - Jay Dell ($300) 23-Jul TaylorMade Driver-The Kingdom at Reynolds Plantation ($500) 19-Nov Gift Certificate or Piece of Art - Genuine Georgia ($300) 26-Mar Melody Soundcast Bluetooth Wireless Speaker- RF Designs ($400) 30-Jul Artwork - Main Street Furniture ($300) 26-Nov Bose Quiet Comfort 25 Headphones - Advanced Audiology & Hearing Care($300) 2-Apr Gift Certificate - Da Corrado's ($300) 6-Aug Golf for Four (Choice of Course) Reynolds Plantation ($980) 3-Dec Shopping Spree - Greensboro Jewelers ($300) 9-Apr Round of Golf for Four and $100 Gift Certificate for any Cuscowilla restaurant - Cuscowilla ($700) 13-Aug iPad - Mindy Chandler, On Q Financial ($450) 10-Dec Gift Card - The Oconee Cellar ($300) 16-Apr Services or Products at Sinclair Marina - Sinclair Marina ($300) 20-Aug Tailgate Green Egg w/stand and 10 lb. Charcoal - Spa & Patio Center ($550) 17-Dec Two 50 min Massages and Lunch at Gaby's - Ritz Carlton ($400) 23-Apr Yeti Cooler - Allstate ($300) 27-Aug Queen Mattress Set - The Furniture Outlet ($499) 24-Dec 42" Television - Wells Fargo Advisors ($350) 30-Apr Handmade Silver Bracelet - Aurum Jeweler ($300) 31-Dec Two 6 mo. Memberships, Three Personal Training Sessions, & One Year Tanning - Max Fitness ($300)
