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Page 12, December 23, 2024, The Islander
Dunzo!!!
If you read last week’s column, as
you should have, you know this is the
last edition and last Back Talk for
2024.
So I won’t belabor that, and will in
stead do some reflecting and project
ing on what happened in 2024 and
what we might expect for 2025.
From the Glynn County Commis
sion’s stand point, it was a big year for
SPLOST with progress being made
on a number of important road and
other projects, mainly the triangular
three-road Gateway to St. Simons; the
Frederica Rd. / Sea Island Rd. round
about; and the Canal Rd. improve
ment project that includes widening
and a roundabout.
The Gateway is a major long term,
$13,992,000 SPLOST 2022 project
that is currently being designed by the
Moffit & Nichol engineering firm who
was awarded the contract last month.
The County Commission consid
ered a half dozen or so possible fixes
to this complex intersection project be
fore deciding on a roundabout at the
Demere Rd. / Sea Island Rd. intersec
tion and spliting the traffic coming off
the Torras Causeway down both De
mere and King’s Way, instead of just
onto King’s Way as it is now.
This project also includes land ac
quisition, permitting and right-of-way
issues prior to being put to bid and a
contractor chosen. Construction is ex
pected to start in mid-2026.
The Frederica Rd. / Sea Island Rd.
roundabout has generated a bit of
controversy and potential for a law
suit involving the adjacent Twitty
Park. A Capital project, as opposed to
a SPLOST 2022 project, this is one of
few projects that is “off track.”
While the design is about 98% com
plete and should be completely done in
January, the hold up is Georgia Power
Co. who is still trying to decide what
to do with the power poles and lines.
Canal Rd. / Glynco Parkway is
another multi-faceted $2.91 million
SPLOST project that has been under
construction since May 1.
This project connects two major
roads, Canal Road and Glynco Park
way. It will tie into the improvements
and widening of the SPLOST 2016
project on Canal Road. The remaining
sections of roads will be widened to
four lanes to connect the intersection
improvements. Drainage pipe will
be installed instead of longitudinal
ditches.
This project is on track and expect
ed to be complete by mid-June.
Two other Capital projects include
the new Juvenile Justice Center and
the Coast Guard Station beach park
ing lot renovation.
The Juvenile Center budget is $12
million and staff has been working
with the construction-manager-at-
risk on ‘value engineering’ to hold the
Publisher The Islander EDITORIAL
project to the $12 million budget.
The Coast Guard Station project
has been designed. County staff met
with the design firm late last week to
review options to get the price down to
the $7 million budget. Those options
will be presented to County Manager
Bill Fallon for direction, with the pos
sibility of a presentation to the County
Commission at a work session.
It’s important to note this is neither
a SPLOST nor a Capital Project - it is
being funded 100% with the Bed Tax,
with the county putting in 50% and the
Convention and Visitors Bureau put
ting in 50%. In addition, several years
ago the state of Georgia kicked in $1
million for the life guard tower, which
will double as the new bathrooms.
As far as what’s going to happen
in 2025 I can only guess, other then
continuations of the county projects
and I’m sure the city will be working
on theirs, along with the Board of Ed
ucation who recently got another ES-
PLOST approved by the voters.
The BOE also got a new Superin
tendent, once again promoting Mike
Blackerby from within, instead of go
ing outside the county.
While several county commission
ers will be sworn-in to office on Thurs
day, January 2 only one, Bob Duncan,
will be new to the job. The other three,
Allen Booker, Sammy Tostensen and
Walter Rafolski will be returning for
an additional term.
The Islander is looking forward to
another good year in 2025 especially
with the change in Washington, D.C.,
hopefully Trump and in particular
his newly created Department of
Government Efficiency will finally
pare down the bloated federal job
corps and get those that want to work
back in the office.
According to the news, 90% of the
federal work force works from home.
Prior to Covid only 3% worked from
home. Back in the mid-1990s we
worked out of my mother’s house for
a short time while we were looking for
an office to rent. Say what you will,
but it’s so easy to goof off when you’re
working at home. Trust me no one’s
working 8 hours at home.
As I close out I want to give a big
word of gratitude to all our readers
and advertisers for continuing to sup
port their local weekly newspaper for
going on 53 years.
Thank you and Merry Christmas
and Happy New Year!!!
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