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County honors star guard; commission updated on projects
Stokes Mitchell
Davion Mitchell honored at a ceremony April 15 at Donell Woods Stadium.

Davion Mitchell was again the main topic of discussion at the April 15, County Commission meeting as they unveiled a special surprise that was later presented to the standout basketball star at his ceremony held at Donell Woods Stadium later that same evening.

Local artist Samone Joyner Norsworthy was commissioned by the Liberty County Chamber of Commerce. She created an original painting of Mitchell’s Baylor Bear #45 jersey. The painting was signed by the artist and was presented with a letter of authenticity. At the meeting the County Commissioners also signed the back of the painting. There was also a large poster board card congratulating Mitchell which was signed by the community. Liberty County Administrator Joey Brown also read a proclamation recognizing Mitchell’s success.

After the brief ceremony the Commissioners received a finance report and were briefed on engineering projects by Trent Long.

Construction is underway for the new Head Start building in Riceboro according to Brown who also briefed the County Commissioners about Capital projects at the mid-month meeting.

Brown said they’ve already poured some of the concrete slab down and will soon be able to start blocking out and framing out walls for the new building. Brown said the Miller Park renovations, Miller Park Fire Station, phase two improvements to Gill Park and the convenience center improvements at Gumbranch and Isle of Wight are all in the designing stage.

Brown said some Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (T-SPLOST) projects are moving forward because they are tied into other city and count projects that are also moving forward. One such project is the intersection improvements at Veterans Highway and South Main Street. 

“That is almost completely finished in design and ready to go out to bid,” Brown said about the first phase of the project. Another project moving forward is the safety improvement project at McLarry’s Curve in Flemington.

“That’s due to be awarded at any time now to the contractors,” Brown said. “So the sidewalks that are supposed to tie into that and run all the way to Liberty County High School are now being designed as part of that so those two can tie together.”

Brown said he met with Liberty County EMS to talk about their space needs for the proposed EMS station in Midway. He said they are also working on the pre-design and site location of the Public Works Building. 

Brown informed the commissioners that several improvements are needed at the Liberty gym in the Midway Complex.

“There are some challenges there,” Brown said. “Before the roof got patched there was some more damage that was done to the floor.”

But Brown said he walked through the facilities with the folks from Buckley and Associates who will make recommendations to Liberty County Recreation Department Director Jimmy Martin which can then be brought before the Commissioners and the recreation board for review.

Brown said the current flooring will likely need to be removed and replaced with multi-purpose flooring like the flooring in the Riceboro Center.

Brown said he met with the Board members of the Health Department and they are ready to send out requests for proposals for space analysis and designs. He said they received two bids for the Hangar Project at Mid-Coast Regional Airport.

Brown mentioned the County possibly receiving some funds from President Joe Biden’s America’s Rescue Plan but added they have not received any information from the Treasury Department of how much and when those funds may come in. 

Brown said they are also looking into the criteria of how the County may use the funds to see if it can be used to cover infrastructure.

Assistant County Administrator Joseph Mosley said they are ready to continue the Summer Youth Program and also implement the Summer Internship program started by former, Assistant County Administrator Bob Sprinkel. In the program local Youth get to work in various County Departments to see how they function and learn new skills. 


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