About The Monroe County reporter. (Forsyth, Ga.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 27, 2008)
February 27, 2008 PAGE 7A Quarry « Reporter continued from the front n’t have enough warning. Something of this magnitude should give us at least another month to get our act together.” Davis continued that McAllister, “painted a pretty pic ture. But that’s not the reality of it.” He said that Hwy. 41 is not designed for the traffic it has now, telling the Reporter that quarry trucks break the law every day using roads not meant for them. If it triples with expansion, there will be no way to provide safety, said Davis. The closest neighbor to the expansion, Buster Slocumb of Pea Ridge Road, told commis sioners he has no problem with the quarry expansion. Davis told the Reporter he understands Slocumb’s support, saying that Slocumb’s company makes equip ment that Hanson uses. Opponents outlined several areas of concern in addition to safety. They pointed out that they have been living with the quarry for 20 years. During that time, the foundations of some homes’ have cracked. Water tables have been lowered and one countian said he collected 500 pounds of dust in his attic. “We worry about the health of our grandchildren breathing all that stuff,” another interjected. All the opponents agreed that they had many unanswered questions for the company. Sales manager Jeff Miller said he would try to answer some to those questions. The first ques tion was: how many tons of rock will the expansion harvest? Miller said the company mined 457,000 tons last year. With the expansion, he said Hanson plans to get back to a million tons a year, the highest tonnage at the peak of the company’s operation at the current location. How much sales tax will the operation generate? Miller said the company paid $213,000 in sales tax to Monroe County last year. He added that with the expansion the amount should double to about one-half million. Miller also assured residents that dust is checked daily and that water samples go to the state twice a month. He empha sized that Hanson Aggregates is sorry for the problems residents have had in the past, but that his company should not be held responsible for the actions of a different company. Hanson didn’t originally build the quarry. Miller also assured residents that the industry is limited to 14 hours of operation a day. “We open at six and blasting is restricted to daylight,” he said. “Homeowners should get together and get all their ques tions together before bringing it back to us,” commission chair man Harold Carlisle told the group. Miller indicated that he would be glad to meet with resi dents and to discuss their con cerns. About 25 neighbors who oppose the quarry expansion met Sunday to discuss strategy and may file a pre-emptive lawsuit, said Davis. The rock quarry has long been controversial. Its entry into Monroe County in 1986 spurred commissioners to adopt a zoning ordinance, but the Supreme Court ruled the ordi nance was passed too late to stop the quarry. Commissioner Mike Bilderback, whose district included the quar ry, made the motion for the con tinuance. Commissioner Larry Evans seconded, and the vote was unanimous on both issues. Chief continued from the front committee. “He brings integrity, calmness and loy alty — and he knows the community well.” “He’s an excellent police officer and will serve the city well,” adds councilman Mike Dodd. City clerk Janice Hall said she can’t remember him ever saying a cross word about anyone. The city isn’t advertising for a new chief and Russell said he doesn’t think it will. The consensus seems to be, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” After all, the 21-member department only has two vacancies and there has been no mass exodus with Clifton’s departure. While the 56-year-old Phillips has served long enough to retire with full benefits, he said he’s will ing to stay on if council wants him to. “If that’s their wishes, I’m OK with that,” said Phillips. “I’m not ready to retire.” He noted that he has several more years before he qualifies for social security. A Forsyth native, Phillips said he plans to continue Clifton’s community-orient ed policing effort, getting officers on the streets and involved with citizens. “They didn’t call it (com munity-oriented policing) that when I started, but that’s what we did,” said Phillips. “We knew every body in the community. That’s something that needs to continue.” He said having relation ships in the community makes is a big aid to police work. Phillips said his depart ment will continue to try to put a dent in Forsyth’s biggest crime problems, theft and drugs. He said those are the biggest prob lems everywhere. He said Forsyth police will continue to be proac tive about stopping nar cotics. He added that while police can’t totally stop drug trafficking, they can at least force it out of Forsyth. “We need to show we won’t stand for it in our city,” said Phillips. Phillips says he’s motivated to stop crime because he loves Forsyth, which he calls one of the best small communi ties in the state. He said residents can help police do their jobs by letting offi cers know when they spot suspicious activity. Phillips knows something about leading a team. He has six grown sons between the ages of 21-37, and several of them are r 'N BRITTAIN CPA, PC Tax Return Relief “Let The Professionals Maximize Your Deductions This Tax Season!" Monthly Bookkeeping, Payroll and Sales Tax Services Income Tax Planning and Preparation (Personal, Corporate, Estate & LLC) Out of State Income Tax Returns, Electronic Filing Estate and Financial Planning, IRS Audits and Notices serving in the military. 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