The Long County Commissioners on July 2 heard resident requests to clean up the former Ludowici Train Depot and for permission to sell firearms from a private home.
Long County resident Mel Gordon again asked commissioners to allow him to clean up the former depot. Gordon has made several requests to lead a group of volunteers to clean the area and begin looking at restoring the old structure.  Commissioners have expressed a desire to accommodate Gordon, but also have said that due to the condition of the building, it would be hazardous to have anyone go in and do any work at this time.  
After a brief discussion, Commissioner Dwight Gordon told Gordon that the commission has been looking into his request and would get with him in the near future to work with him on the project.
Matt Treece asked the commission for permission to buy and sell firearms from his Turpentine Road residence. He said there are several similar businesses in Liberty County, and that it is a common practice throughout the state.
Treece said that if he is allowed to sell, he won’t have any signs in front of his home, and traffic would not be a concern due to the fact that 95 percent of his transactions would be over the Internet. He also said that he has been inspected by the state and has a safe for storing weapons.  
Long County Sheriff Craig Nobles told the commission that he has nothing against Treece opening a business, but he does have concerns about who would receive packages of firearms or ammunition at the house if Treece isn’t home. Nobles said he fears some packages might be left at his door. Treece said that if he isn’t there, his wife will receive the packages. If no one is home, the packages can’t be delivered because a signature is required to receive them.
Commission Chairman Robert Long told Treece that the matter will be reviewed.
Long County resident Helen Wooden told the commission she is new to the area, but she follows its activities and appreciates the county’s website for making information easier to obtain.
In other business, the commissioners:
• passed an ordinance requiring builders to pay all taxes on real-estate purchases before they can obtain a permit to develop the property.
• approved entering an intergovernmental agreement with the Long County Board of Education to assist the BoE in developing a required deceleration lane in front of the new high school.
• approved a request by insurance agent Kerry Hunt to allow the Georgia Farm Bureau to provide a quote for services to Long County.
• approved a contract with the Georgia Department of Corrections to use inmate labor in the county for governmental details.
• tabled making decisions on the county extension memorandum of understanding and the bylaws of the recreation department.