Archive By Author - Jen Alexander McCall

County employees learn about asthma

County employees gathered Tuesday for a lunch-and-learn program, at which Dr. John Cortina served as guest speaker. The lunch is part of the county's yearlong wellness campaign.

"Education is one of the four main components of this program," human resource specialist Laura Troutman said. "We have more than 100 active participants."

Workforce development in spotlight

Riceboro City Council member Chris Stacy shared the early results of his city's efforts to put young people to work during Thursday's mid-month county commission meeting. Through the Summer Youth Training program, teens living in Riceboro are placed in summer jobs to learn about the workplace and explore future career options.

County reviews tree ordinance revisions

A smattering of revisions to the tree ordinance, which covers several municipalities in Liberty County as well as its unincorporated areas, were presented to county commissioners July 6. Commissioners reviewed the changes as part of a public hearing, but made no decision.

Gabriele Hartage, assistant zoning administrator with the Liberty Consolidated Planning Commission, said the revisions make the ordinance stricter in some areas and less stringent in others. She told commissioners Hinesville has adopted the changes and Midway, Riceboro and Flemington also are expected to adopt them this month.

County hears rural polycart service analysis

Countywide polycart service took center stage Thursday night at the Liberty County Commission meeting. John Culbertson, principal at MSW Consultants, presented options for offering the curbside service to rural residents and addressed the associated costs.

"The polycart will capture household refuse, but there are other waste streams," Culbertson said. "We looked at two options. In a full conversion, you're removing the bulk drop-off and household drop-off," and relocating recycling options to third-party or other county-owned sites.

Residents hear county’s water conservation plan

A couple dozen residents of eastern Liberty County gathered Monday night to hear and give input on the county's proposed municipal water system for the Holmestown-Screven Fork area as part of its water conservation efforts.

"Water is one of the most precious natural resources there is," Commissioner Gary Gilliard said. "The fact that we're poised to offer this [service]...I'm excited to be a part of it. For the people it's going to serve, it's going to be something everyone needs."

Growth partnership schedules public meeting

The Fort Stewart Growth Management Partnership will hold a public input meeting at 3 p.m. Tuesday for Liberty County residents to discuss findings from its yearlong regional growth management study. The meeting will be in the courthouse annex boardroom.

According to Partnership Director Jeff Ricketson, the input received from these meetings will be incorporated into final recommendations of the study "and ultimately shape the way the region manages its growth."

Back-to-school rally is Saturday

The nonprofit youth group Project Reach G.A.N.G. Inc. will host its Back to School Rally in Riceboro at 10 a.m. Saturday in Briar Bay

Flood insurance program lapse stresses buyers

An active hurricane season seems an inopportune time to let the National Flood Insurance Program lapse, but on May 31 that's exactly what happened inside Congress. The insurance program's ability to issue new policies expired because of a lack of funding; four attempts were made to reauthorize the program, resulting in periods this spring and early summer when no new policies could be issued.

'Fire up' safely this Independece Day

The familiar booms, crackles and sparkling skies are the iconic symbols of an Independence Day celebration. Children and adults alike love the glow of sparklers and the snapping sound of Black Cats, but even the smallest fireworks can carry some potential for harm.

Fire coordinator outlines county protection plan

Liberty County fire coordinator James Ashdown outlined a tentative fire protection plan for the county for commissioners Wednesday night, in which he shared both immediate and long-term goals for maintaining and improving fire protection services to residents.

LCDA adopts 2011 budget

The Liberty County Development Authority adopted its FY 2011 budget Monday at the board's regular meeting by a majority vote, with board member Paul Krebs opposed the adoption.

The presented budget highlighted reductions in cost expenditures that were discussed at a workshop held two weeks ago. After modifications, the general fund balance sits at $9,388,045.

Hurricane season is here - are you ready?

Barely a month into the 2010 hurricane season, weather conditions in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic are already ripe for producing potential storms.

Panel tweaks growth management suggestions

Regional growth management partners on Tuesday reviewed a draft of final recommendations for handling anticipated growth throughout Bryan, Liberty, Long and Tattnall counties and Fort Stewart.

Development authority continues budget review

The Liberty County Development Authority continues to look at its upcoming budget to see how to best manage long-term debt, reduce capital projects and maintain line items.

County commission reviews SPLOST revenues, project costs

The Liberty County Commission reviewed the cost of area projects being funded by tax dollars collected under SPLOST 4, as well as revenue collection to date.