Newspaper Page Text
Issue 6 Thursday, FEBRUARY 10, 2022
The Voice of Crawford County Since 1921
also serving Byron and Peach County
1 Section 10 Pages, 2 Inserts One Dollar
City discusses
loan for
sewer lines
BY KRISTI WATKINS
The Georgia Post
The City of Roberta discussed projects they are in
need in the city with Tom Sloope from Carter and
Sloope Consulting Engineers for a possible CDBG
grant or a SRF loan. After discussing the needs of the
city, mayor and council thought it was best suited for
a SRF loan for a clean water revolving fund for sewer
lines running down Seagler to the water plant.
The lines are original and have several openings
where rain water infiltrates the lines causing more
water running to the plant. Jeff Harrison stated
since the work done on High Point cut most of the
infiltration in the sewer lines, there is still a small
problem with Seagler. He also stated that the swamp
area will also be a problem getting to the line. The
12-inch line could possibly have a slip line installed.
Harrison stated they are approximately looking at
half a mile (2,600 sf).
At this time, the amount for this project is un
known, but the SRF loan is a low interest loan at 2%
where the city can pay off or have up to 20 years to
pay. Harrison stated the Zenith Mill loan from 2004
will be paid off in 2024. Sloope added the project
needs to be applied for soon due to the deadline.
Sloope also added they do not have to wait to be
funded to start; just follow GEFA guidelines. He
stated there is also no penalty for early payoff.
The city will be getting an estimate from Carter
and Sloope after council voted for the application
submission for the SFR project.
Mayor Jay Andrews also brought before council
the current bum ordinance to update the ordinance.
The current ordinance has nothing stated about a
small firepit for social gatherings. Currently, it is
against the ordinance to have any burning within the
city and that even includes having a small firepit to
have those tasty smores or hot dogs people love.
Mayor Andrews compared the smoke from these
small firepits would not create any more smoke
than a fireplace inside a home. He stated they will
be going over other city ordinances from around the
area to compare their ordinances and will bring back
before council. The city will keep the” no burning
trash” in the city ordinance.
Another ordinance brought before council for
review is the golf cart ordinance. Mayor Andrews
stated the golf carts needs to be inspected in a timely
manner. He stated owners pay for a permit one time
and there needs to be an inspection on those carts
on a yearly or bi-yearly basis. Chief Ty Matthews,
who handles the permits, recommended for a yearly
inspection. Inspections would be to make sure the
carts are legal according to the ordinance. Council
approved $25 for the permit and $10 a year for
inspections. All were in favor except Josh Patterson
who voted against the change.
Council also was updated on the new phone sys
tem. Also council was updated on the approved golf
cart purchase for a $500 security deposit. The city is
now able to order one since orders were not allowed
for the last several months. Council also discussed
members participating in the other county meetings
and members chose to attend those meetings.
Other items brought before council was a software
package called Unicode for ordinances to be open
to the public online. The cost would be between
$8,000 to $10,000. This includes the attorney with
Unicode would go through all ordinances to see
what needs to be updated or deleted. This would
take from one year to 18 months to complete the
process.
Rocco selected for Governor’s Honors
Rocco Moore, a 10th grader
at Crawford County High
School, has been selected
as a semifinalist for the
Governor’s Honors Pro
gram. Rocco was nominat
ed in the area of Physics by
his teacher, Jody Barfield.
He will travel to Berry
College on February 26th
for the state interviews/
auditions. This is a very
competitive program that
would provide Rocco with
a four week summer expe
rience this year.
New and improved clock
The City clock downtown in David Bailey Park has been
totally refurbished, thanks to a $6000 grant from Flint
Energies. The chimes and everything were fixed and ev
erything is now digitalized. Thank you Flint Energies for all
you do for our community.
Dev. Auth. has full board
BY KATELYN JENNINGS
The Georgia Post
The Development Authority
Board discussed banking,
since they now have a full
board. Signatures from all
board members are needed
to have the account closed at
GCB in Roberta. All banking
is now done through BB&T
in Fort Valley.
254 Wright Ave, the vacant
unit next to Care Connect
will be getting an electri
cal panel installed. It was
mentioned a new power pole
will need to be installed as
well. The Board voted and
approved this motion.
The business center project
was awarded to Choice Roof
ing for the new roof instal
lation, and at this time they
are waiting on the TPO roof
material to come in. The es
timated time for the material
to be in is the end of Febru
ary. Choice has requested
a down payment from the
Board, with the amount
being at the Board’s discre
tion. Martha McAfee made
a motion to pay $10,000
to Choice Roofing, and this
was seconded. However, the
motion did not pass. Thomas
Collins expressed concerns
with paying that large of a
down payment and made a
new motion to pay $7,500.
This motion was approved
by the Board.
Tisa Horton was selected to
the Middle Georgia Regional
Leadership Champions pro
gram. The tuition is $1,000,
and board voted to pay that
cost.
Hill Bentley notified the
Board, and the Commission
ers in attendance, that he
will not be looking for reap
pointment when his term is
up in March.
Board went into a closed
executive session to discuss
personnel and litigation.
Whitaker Road
residents express
road safety concern
BY KATELYN JENNINGS
The Georgia Post
Citizens of Whitaker Road made an appear
ance in front of Crawford County Commission
ers last week to discuss their concerns regarding
the quality of the road. David Reeves expressed
safety concerns with the numerous potholes. He
stated the patchwork that has been completed
over the years is not enough. Commissioners
assured Reeves the citizens had their support
and the road will get repaved for 2022-2023.
During his announcements County Manager,
Fabian Hollis, advised two employees have
tested to run the inert landfill and transfer
station, and if both pass then they will have four
people qualified to run it. The water project for
Carl Sutton Road to Jasmine Way is now out
for bid. It was also mentioned Flint Energies
is donating a truck to the fire department for
$1.00. Lastly, the new Transfer Station on Jack-
son Road is almost complete and the projected
opening is the third week in February.
A project for the 2022 CDBG Grant will need
to be selected. Hollis stated since the county
shop is moving to Jackson Road, a multi-pur
pose youth center should be built where the
current shop is located. The Board has until
April to decide which project they would like to
submit for approval.
LMIG paving recommendations for 2022 are
still being discussed. Rumph Road is still at
the top of the list, and several others have been
mentioned by the board. Hollis recommended
West Lawson Merritt get milling applied. At
this time, Hollis will get the population of each
road mentioned, then the list will get narrowed
down. A motion was approved by the Board to
proceed.
The county’s conference center has gotten a lot
of use since opening in 2019. $7,000 was made
in 2019, $4,275 in 2020, and $11,300 in 2021.
The amount the center has made totals $22,575.
It was mentioned it costs $75 per hour to lease,
and there has been two grants applied for to
renovate the bathrooms and the ceiling.
A budget amendment was completed for the
fire department since there have been two
firetrucks purchased. The amendment was for
$70,000, and the new total budget is $215,405.
The Board voted and approved this motion.
Two applications were submitted for the
vacancy on the Development Authority Board,
Thomas Collins and Adriane Romeo. After a
brief executive session, the Board voted and ap
proved to appoint Thomas Collins to the Board.
CCHS wrestlers bring home medals
Here are the medalists from this past weekend at the Traditional Area Tournament at Pacelli in Columbus, GA.
Pictured from left: Mason Underwood-126lbs 3rd place, Aundra Smith- 145lbs 3rd place, Gavin Barefield-132lbs
2nd place, Braelyn Cain-152lbs 1st place, Jordan Andrews-160lbs 1st place, Logan Garretson-138lbs 4th
place. Two wrestlers won the Area Championship in their weight class. Cain and Andrews are state qualifiers.
Austin Money (not pictured) Austin Money-170lbs was an alternate but was called up to wrestle at sectionals.
As a result we have seven wrestlers competing at the GHSA State Sectional Tournament. The team has had an
exceptional year.
